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You are here: Home / Archives for stachybotrys

What Are the Health Effects of Black Mould (Stachybotrys chartarum)?

Jackson Kung'u

Many times people tell us they have seen black mould in their houses and they want to know the health effects associated with it. There are a number of moulds such as Alternaria, Cladosporium, Memnoniella, Ulocladium and a few others that may appear black. However, when people talk of black mould they often refer to Stachybotrys chartarum. In many cases black mould that people see in their kitchens, bathrooms, window sills, and ceiling tiles is not Stachybotrys chartarum. The only way to tell whether the black mould is Stachybotrys is through laboratory mould testing. In the laboratory the mould is examined by a qualified microbiologist or mycologist and identified. After identification, the lab may give information (if available) on the health effects associated with the identified mould. It is important that a laboratory with a qualified mycologist is used because if the mould is incorrectly identified, then the information provided would be misleading.

Health Effects Associated with Black Mould (Stachybotrys chartarum)
The scientific community is still divided on the health effects of indoor moulds. Some believe there is insufficient scientific evidence to prove Stachybotrys chartarum is the sole cause of health problems reported in various publications. Health effects often associated with Stachybotrys chartarum and a few other species of moulds include:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Fatigue,
  • Headaches,
  • Chest tightness,
  • Irritation of the mucous membrane,
  • Pulmonary haemorrhage (breeding of lungs) in infants,
  • Sore throats,
  • Flue symptoms,
  • Recurring colds,
  • Diarrhoea,
  • Dermatitis,
  • General malaise

Regardless of the health effects, extensive mould growth indoors could be an indication of an unhealthy living environment.

If you have a question regarding the health effects of black mould (Stachybotrys chartarum) please give us a call at 905-290-9101.

 

Filed Under: Fungi Tagged With: black mold, health risks, stachybotrys

What are the common types of indoor mould?

Jackson Kung'u

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.

Filed Under: Fungi Tagged With: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, black mold, black mould, Memnoniella, Pithomyces, stachybotrys, Stemphylium, Ulocladium

Stachybotrys And Ulocladium: Indicators Of Moisture Problem In A Building

Jackson Kung'u

Stachybotrys chartarum and Ulocladium chartarumDifferent categories of moulds have different water requirements. Some moulds such as Stachybotrys, Ulocladium, Acremonium, Fusarium, Trichoderma and Chaetomium thrive well on very wet building materials. Some of these moulds have come to be associated with water damaged buildings and their presence in a building is an indication of a moisture problem.

The picture on the right shows both Stachybotrys chartarum and Ulocladium chartarum on the same lift tape sample taken from a water damged building. Stachybotrys is also commonly found together with Chaetomium spp, particularly Chaetomium globosum.

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

Filed Under: Fungi Tagged With: Acremonium, chaetomium, Fusarium, moisture problem, stachybotrys, Trichoderma, Ulocladium, water damage

Health Problems Associated with Indoor Moulds

Jackson Kung'u

Exposure to indoor mould has been associated with the following health problems:

  • respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing
  • respiratory infections such as aspergilloses
  • allergic diseases, including allergic asthma and bronchitis
  • unspecific symptoms, e.g., eye and skin irritation, fatigue, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

The moulds most frequently encountered in indoor environment are Penicillium, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Ulocladium, Stachybotrys, Cladosporium, Acremonium, Mucor, Paecilomyces, Alternaria, and Trichoderma. These moulds are all known to cause different types of inhalation allergy. Some moulds such as Chaetomium, Stachybotrys and Ulocladium thrive under very wet conditions. Their presence in indoor environment is an indication of water problem.

Do you have a mould question? Call us at (905)290-9101.

Filed Under: Fungi Tagged With: Acremonium, allergy, Alternaria, aspergillosis, Aspergillus, bronchitis, chaetomium, cladosporium, Mucor, Paecilomyces, penicillium, stachybotrys, Trichoderma, Ulocladium

Common Indoor Moulds & Their Hazard Classes

Jackson Kung'u

This is a list of some of the most common indoor moulds and their hazard classes. For an explanation of these hazard classes, read the May 24 post entitled “Indoor Moulds: Hazard Classes And Associated Health Effects”. The list is not exhaustive. At least 150 moulds have been reported from buildings.

Acremonium spp (hazard class B).
Alternaria spp (hazard class B).
Aspergillus flavus (hazard class A).
Aspergillus fumigatus (hazard class A).
Aspergillus versicolor (hazard class A).
Aureobasidium pullulans (hazard class B).
Chaetomium globosum (hazard class C).
Cladosporium cladosporioides (hazard class B).
Cladosporium sphaerospermum (hazard class C).
Fusarium spp (hazard class A).
Mucor spp (hazard class A).
Paecilomyces spp (hazard class B).
Penicillium aurantiogriseum (hazard class B).
Penicillium chrysogenum (hazard class B).
Scopulariopsis spp (hazard class B).
Stachybotrys chartarum (hazard class A).
Trichoderma spp (hazard class B)
Ulocladium botrytis (hazard class C).
Wallemia sebi (hazard class C).

These moulds are commonly found on water damaged or damp surfaces in kitchens, basements, bathrooms, ceilings, and other drywalls. Occurrence of some of these moulds such as Stachybotrys, Fusarium, Ulocladium and Trichoderma in a building is an indication of serious water damage.

Do you have a question concerning indoor moulds? Send your question to My Question.

Filed Under: Fungi Tagged With: Fusarium, mould hazard classes, stachybotrys, Trichoderma, Ulocladium, water damage

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