MouldMedic® is Familiar with Common Mould Types
There are thousands of different types of mould, however there are mould types that are more common. The types of mould listed below are the more common types when dealing with buildings and mould problems.
This is a well-recognized plant disease-causing agent. It is currently comprised of about 40-50 species. Species of Alternaria are commonly found in plants, soil, food, and indoor air. Its alternate species has been isolated from numerous kinds of organic materials in damp situations, including textiles, stored food, canvas, cardboard and paper, electric cables, polyurethane, jet fuel, sewage and effluents. Airborne spores of Alternaria alternata are found in very high outdoor numbers during summer.
The colony is flat, downy to woolly and is covered by grayish, short, aerial hyphae in time. The surface is greyish white initially and when it matures it darkens and becomes greenish black or olive brown.
Alternaria alternata is recognized as an important allergen with airborne spores and mycelial fragments being responsible for the allergic symptoms in individuals with rhinitis or bronchial asthma. Sensitivity can also lead to severe and potentially fatal asthma. Studies have shown that up to 70 % of mould-allergic patients have skin test reactivity to this mould. It has also been shown that prolonged heavy exposure to Alternaria alternata spores and mycelial fragments mimics that of other allergens such as cat dander and dust mites. It has also been recorded as an opportunistic pathogen causing skin diseases particularly in immunocompromised patients such as the bone marrow transplant patients.
If you think you might have Alternaria on your property contact us for further information.
Aspergillus is a very common mould and contains about 185 species. It thrives in conditions where there is a variation in moisture, like structures with infrequent water intrusion followed by periods of dryness, such as basements leaking in the spring time.
Since the mould contains numerous species, the colour variations are wide. It can be Blue-green, yellow-green, black, brown or white.
This mould includes more than 150 species, but only a few of these moulds can cause illness in humans and animals. Most people are naturally immune and do not develop disease caused by this mould type. However, when disease does occur, it takes several forms. The types of diseases caused by this mould type are varied, ranging from an allergy-type illness to life-threatening generalized infections. Diseases caused by Aspergillus are called aspergillosis. The severity of aspergillosis is determined by various factors, but one of the most important is the state of the immune system of the person.
If you think you might have Aspergillus on your property contact us for further information.
Like Stachybotrys (Black Mold), this is one of those moulds that require chronic moisture conditions for it to grow. Its presence is therefore an indication of existing or previous serious moisture problem. This mould is commonly found in soil, air, and decaying plant material. It is often found in situations where there is a chronic plumbing leak, especially of the waste lines or toilet flanges.
Colonies are rapidly growing, cottony and white in color initially, changing to grey to olive in color when they mature.
Although its species are rarely associated with human infections, there are reports of infections involving individuals with weak immune system. Chaetomium globosum is known to produce 2 toxins in moisture-damaged buildings, chaetoglobosins A and C. These toxins have the potential to cause illness to building occupants.
If you think you might have Chaetomium on your property contact us for more information.
This is a very common mould type. It is usually found along with Aspergillus or Penicillium species. It is also a very common outdoor mould. It is frequently found in elevated levels in water-damaged environments. This mould is widely distributed in air and rotten organic material and frequently isolated as a contaminant on foods.
Cladosporium appears gray to black or very dark green and can have a powdery appearance. This mould type includes more than 30 species. The most common ones include Elatum, Herbarum, Sphaerospermum, and Cladosporioides species.
This is a very common fungus that is a known and documented aero-allergen, which is usually associated with plants, wood products, and leather goods. The spores are easily made airborne and as such are a common cause of respiratory problems and allergic reactions and can be an agent for hypersensitivity diseases. It is as a parasite in infections of the skin, soft tissues or nails and has been documented in medical cases of blastomycosis, candidiasis, chromoblastomycosis, histoplasmosis, entomophthoromycosis, phaeohyphomycosis and keratomycosis.
If you think you might have Cladosporium on your property contact us for more information.
Epicoccum is found in plants, soil, grains, textiles and paper products. This type of fungus is a common soil and litter fungus, and is also a secondary invader of plant material. It is often found growing outside in soil, plant litter, decaying plants and or damaged plant tissue. Often found growing inside on a variety of building materials including but not limited to paper, textiles, and insects.
This mould grows well on cellulose surfaces and has a rapid growth rate. Colony colors are often bright and can include yellow, orange, red or brown.
It is known to be a common allergen. Some people may experience hay fever and or asthma.
If you think you might have Epicoccum on your property contact us for further information.
The Mould spores are carried by the wind, and typically settle in a moist, warm environment, where they will continue to multiply until there is a change in condition. Mould develops well on cellulose materials such as wood ceiling tiles or plasterboard. If the moisture source dries up, the mould also dries up.
Memnoniella mould most closely resembles the Stachybotrys mould, and they are generally found growing together. The major difference relates to size – Memnoniella mould is smaller, making it easier for it to penetrate the lining of the lungs.
Memnoiella is considered toxic and produces allergic symptoms in humans. Although it does not usually produce life-threatening health problems, it can seriously affect asthma sufferers and persons with various common allergies. The body’s reaction to allergenic mould tends to be somewhat mild, depending on individual sensitivities. The most typical symptoms include throat irritation, eye and nose itchiness and rashes. Spending time in a closed-in area that is infected with mould and mildew can eventually erode a person’s autoimmune system, causing symptoms to gradually increase in severity. Long-time exposure can affect other systems of the body as well.
If you feel that you may have Memnoniella on your property contact us for further information.
Mucor can grow on living and dead plants and in the soil. Species of this mould type are very aggressive, and they will quickly overrun an environment and dominate other fungi. The mould grows and spreads quickly, making it difficult for slower-growing fungi to compete.
Its colonies are typically white to beige or grey and fast growing. Colonies on culture medium may grow to several centimeters in height. Older colonies become grey to brown in colour due to the development of spores.
While most individuals are exposed to the fungi on a regular basis, those with immune disorders and the immunocompromised are more prone to fungal infection.
If you think you might have Mucor on your property contact us for further information.
Penicillium encompasses more than 150 species. It is most commonly found in soils, cellulose materials (plants, wood, paper, etc.), food (such as dried food, cheeses, fresh herbs, spices, dry cereals, nuts onions and oranges.), grains, and compost piles. Indoors this mould type can be associated with carpet, wallpaper, organic substances, and is also known to grow within fiberglass duct insulation. Penicillium grows in water-damaged buildings on wallpaper, wallpaper glue, decaying fabrics, moist chipboards, and behind paint.
It likes the cold, growing best at 34 degrees (the temperature of a refrigerator). It can obtain the moisture that it requires for growth from the air if the relative humidity is 60% or higher.
When it is more than two weeks old, it is bluish in colour.
Its various species can cause allergic and asthmatic reaction in susceptible individuals. Common allergenic effects are: Type I allergies (hay fever, asthma), Type III hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Cheese washer’s lung, Woodman’s lung, and mouldy wall hypersensitivity.
If you think you might have Penicillium on your property contact us for further information.
It is rarely found growing indoors, but will grow on paper given the right conditions. This mould type requires a high level of moisture content for spore germination and is normally found in leaf litter, soils and tree bark.
Colonies are shades of tan to brown. Outdoors it can be commonly found on dead leaves of more than 50 different plants, especially leaf fodders, and soil and grasses.
This mould type has not been well studied with regards to allergen production.
If you think you might have Pithomyces on your property contact us for further information.
This mould type is frequently found in soil and decaying organic material. It may also be isolated from other substrates including dust, carpets, grain and wallpaper. Spore dispersal is mainly by air.
Scopulariopsis generally has a moderately fast growth rate, although some species are slow growing. Colony color can vary from white, tan, brown, to grayish-black. Colony texture can vary from smooth to powdery.
This mould type is a potential human pathogen and is frequently the cause of onychomycosis. Various species of this mould may also be keratinolytic and can cause skin disease. Infection is primarily a problem in immunocompromised individuals.
If you think you might have Scopulariopsis on your property contact us for further information.
Stachybotrys is what most people commonly refer to as “black mould.” It is actually a greenish-black fungus that colonizes particularly well in high-cellulose material, such as straw, hay, paper, dust, lint, and cellulose-containing building material such as fiber board, and gypsum board that becomes chronically moist or water damage due to excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation or flooding. The mould can get started from broken pipes, roof leaks, sewage backups, and moisture condensation.
The mould is most common on the paper covering of drywall but can also be found on wallpaper, ceiling tiles, paper products, carpets with natural fibers, paper covering on insulated pipes, insulation material, on wood and on general organic debris.
Stachybotrys colonies are cottony, rapidly growing colonies, which mature in about 4 days. It is white initially and turns to black by aging
The species that has the most health impact is Stachybotrys chartarum (atra)
• It produces mycotoxins that can result in serious health problems
• It produces a component that paralyzes sperm at low doses
• It may cause bleeding in the lungs of infants and those with weak immune systems
Surfaces exposed to air with a relative humidity above 55% and subjected to temperature fluctuations are ideal for toxin production. Individuals with chronic exposure to the toxin produced by this fungus reported cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, and dermatitis.
If you think that you may have Stachybotrys on your property contact us for further information.
Ulocladium is commonly found on a number of surfaces, including plant materials and soils. Ulocladium may also be found on textiles, fibres, wood, paper, paint, and tapestries. It can also found on water-damaged building material such as gypsum board. its spores are mainly dispersed by air. It has a high water requirement, and indoors is found where there is high moisture.
This mould has moderately rapid growth rate. The colonies, which reach maturity within 5 days, are brown to olive-black or greyish and wooly to cottony in texture.
This mould has been reported to be a major allergen, Type I (hay fever and asthma).
If you think you might have Ulocladium on your property contact us for further information.
Contact MouldMedic today to find out what types of mould you may have lurking in your property.
