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Types Of Mold

Many people often ask what are the types of mold commonly found indoors. Generally the prevailing conditions determine the types of mold prevalent in a given environment. A highly humid environment is likely to be dominated by those molds that require a lot of water such Aspergillus fumigatus, Chaetomium globosum, Stachybotrys chartarum, Ulocladium chartarum, Fusarium solani, Trichoderma sp, while a relatively dry environment may be dominated by those molds that require less moisture to grow such as Aspergillus versicolor, Eurotium spp, and Wallemia sebi. For a more detailed discussion on the types of mold commonly found indoors and their hazard classes, visit the website http://www.mouldfacts.ca/mouldtypes.html.

If you have a question concerning indoor mold or bacteria, give us a call at (905)290-9101.

Aspergillus/Penicillium

Some species belonging to the fungal genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are known to be toxigenic or allergenic. Therefore, when lab results indicate an elevated level of Aspergillus/Penicillium spore counts in the air occupants may panic. It is important to know that although Aspergillus and Penicillium are very common indoors, not all spores reported by labs as Aspergillus/Penicillium belong to these toxigenic moulds. For more details see our newsletter at http://www.moldbacteria.com/newsletters/2006/junjul2006.html or check on past issues of our newsletter for this topic.

Which Are The Common Indoor Fungi?

Close to 100,000 species of fungi have been described. However, only a small number has been reported indoors. The most common indoor fungi include some species of Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. These may be found growing on damp wall surfaces in the basement, washroom, kitchen, windowsills, and ceiling tiles.

Below is a list of fungi that have been found in indoor environment. Click the name of the fungus (if the link is active) to get some details about its ecology and associated health effects where known.

Fungi that have been reported from indoor environment

Absidia corymbifera

Acremonium Species
Acremonium strictum

Alternaria Species
Alternaria alternata

Aspergillus Species
Aspergillus candidus
Aspergillus clavatus
Aspergillus flavipes
Aspergillus flavus
Aspergillus fumigatus.
Aspergillus nidulans
Aspergillus niger.
Aspergillus niveus.
Aspergillus ochraceous.
Aspergillus penicillioides
Aspergillus restrictus
Aspergillus sydowii
Aspergillus tamarii
Aspergillus terreus.
Aspergillus ustus
Aspergillus versicolor
Aspergillus wentii

Aureobasidium pullulans

Chaetomium globosum

Chrysonilia Species
Chrysonilia crassa
Chrysonilia sitophila

Cladosporium Species
Cladosporium cladosporioides
Cladosporium herbarum
Cladosporium sphaerospermum

Curvularia Species
Curvularia aureum
Curvularia geniculata
Curvularia lunata

Emericella nidulans (=Aspergillus nidulans)

Epicoccum nigrum

Eurotium Species
Eurotium amstelodami
Eurotium chevalieri
Eurotium herbariorum

Exophiala jeanselmei group

Fusarium Species
Fusarium culmorum
Fusarium oxysporum
Fusarium solani
Fusarium verticillioides (= Fusarium moniliforme)

Geomyces pannorum.

Geotrichum candidum

Gliocladium Species

Gliomastix murorum

Memnoniella echinulata

Mucor Species
Mucor hiemalis
Mucor mucedo
Mucor plumbeus
Mucor racemosus

Myrothecium verrucaria

Oidiodendron Species
Oidiodendron griseum
Oidiodendron tenuissimum

Paecilomyces Species
Paecilomyces lilacinus
Paecilomyces variotii

Penicillium Species
Penicillium aurantiogriseum
Penicillium brevicompactum
Penicillium chrysogenum
Penicillium citrinum.
Penicillium commune
Penicillium corylophilum
Penicillium crustosum
Penicillium expansum
Penicillium funiculosum
Penicillium glabrum
Penicillium janthinellum
Penicillium olsonii
Penicillium polonicum
Penicillium roqueforti
Penicillium rugulosum
Penicillium simplicissimum
Penicillium spinulosum
Penicillium variabile.
Penicillium viridicatum

Phialophora Species
Phialophora fastigiata

Phoma Species
Phoma glomerata
Phoma macrostoma

Pithomyces Species
Pithomyces chartarum
Pithomyces Species

Rhizopus stolonifer

Scopulariopsis Species
Scopulariopsis brevicaulis
Scopulariopsis candida
Scopulariopsis fusca
Scopulariopsis Species

Sistotrema brinkmanii.

Sporothrix Species
Sporothrix schenckii.

Stachybotrys chartarum

Stemphylium botryosum

Syncephalastrum racemosum

Trichoderma Species
Trichoderma harzianum
Trichoderma viride

Ulocladium Species
Ulocladium botrytis
Ulocladium chartarum

Wallemia sebi

 

Mold References

What are the common types of indoor mould?

Often we get questions from homeowners who want know what the black mould growing in their bathrooms, baseboard, window sills or drywall is likely to be. Black mould is often erroneously thought to be Stachybotrys and also to be the most dangerous mould. However, not every mould that appears black is Stachybotrys. There are a number of other moulds that may appear black. These include Pithomyces, Stemphylium, Ulocladium, Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Memnoniella and even some species of Aspergillus for example Aspergillus niger.

Some mould species may be very common in the bathroom, kitchen, basement or on certain building materials such as the drywall, damp paint, carpet, wood, etc. Moulds that produce large amounts of the enzyme cellulase are commonly found growing on wet cellulose containing material. The best examples of moulds in this category are Chaetomium spp and Stachybotrys spp.

Generally the type of mould growing on any substrate (material) is determined by the composition of the substrate and the water activity of the substrate. For some more details on common indoor moulds visit the web page http://www.moldbacteria.com/mold/common-building-moulds-their-hazard-classes.html.

Do you have a mould problem? Call (905)290-9101.

Aspergillus Species: A Health Hazard In Indoor Environment

Some members of Aspergillus group are recognized health hazards and are of great concern if they appear in built environment. The most important species as concerns health are Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus versicolor. Aspergillus clavatus is often associated with allergic diseases in workers of malt-houses. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important and well known potential pathogen for humans with weak immunity. It is of great concern in hospital environments. Spores of Aspergillus fumigatus are allergenic and have the ability to bind on lung epithelium in asthmatic individuals, causing further complications in the health status of these patients. Due to their small size, about 70% of Aspergillus fumigatus spores are able to penetrate into the trachea and primary bronchi. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus are often associated with a disease condition called invasive aspergillosis. Aspergillus versicolor is one of the most common Aspergillus species found in damp indoor environments and is a major producer of one of the liver damaging and carcinogenic Mycotoxin.

Do you have a mould problem or a sample of mould you would want tested? We can help. Call 905-290-9101 Today.

Salmonella food poisoning and symptoms

Salmonella food poisoning has been a growing concern in recent news. It has frequently lead to recalls of beef, salads and organic products and, even peanut butter products. Salmonella food poisoning occurs when one eats raw or undercooked foods such meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. Properly cooked food can get contaminated with Salmonella if […]

Legionella pneumophila – Guidelines for Laboratory Interpretation

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram negative, aerobic bacteria that is characterized as an opportunistic pathogen. It is the cause of Legionnaires’ Disease, a severe form of pneumonia and, it is the cause of Pontiac fever, a non-pneumonic form of L. pneumophila infection. Legionella spp.’s mode of transmission is through aerosols or aspiration of contaminated water. The Public Health […]

The Indoor Mold Is An Early Warning Device

The mold (or mould, in the Queen’s English) has been the victim of a bad press. Mention the word and it conjures up an image of something rotting or in the process of decomposition. And yet, were it not for the mold that inspired the discovery of penicillin millions of lives would have been lost. […]