Hazardous Horns

Does your kid play a musical instrument? It could be hazardous to their health!

 

If your kid plays a musical instrument, one that involves the putting your mouth on it, you NEED to hear this. A Connecticut trombone player developed a condition called Trombone Player's Lung. Sound scary? It is! He struggled with health problems and a cough for years. Doctors thought he had asthma, but none of the treatments were working. Eventually, one doctor took a culture from inside his horn, and identified mold and bacteria in there that would break off and get into the lungs each time he inhaled. That doctor tested ten more instruments, and they were all contaminated.

Student musicians are lectured on the importance of cleaning their instruments, but often don't take it too seriously. Some of those shiny brass instruments are disgusting inside, a musical petri dish of sorts. When cleaned properly with a rod and alcohol, on a regular basis, they won't be a problem.

Source: Dr. Mark Metersky, University of Connecticut