Types of Mold

There are several thousand types of mold in our environment, but we typically see about 10 species of mold in our homes.  Mold can be found in homes, schools, and businesses.  If left unchecked, mold can cause several health problems for both humans and animals, with some of them being pretty severe.

Common Types of Mold

1)    Aspergillus – this is the most prevalent type of mold known to cause health problems in humans.  It is the most likely to cause allergic reactions.  It is dispersed via your air conditioning and heating systems.  Most people hospitalized with symptoms related to mold poisoning have been exposed to this type of mold.
2)    Cladosporium – This mold is found most often attached to wallboard, food, paint, dead plants, dirt, and fiberglass ducts.  It will appear to be black or dark green in color.  It is a powdery mold that will brush off and disperse into the air when disturbed.  People exposed to this mold may develop skin rashes, asthma, sinus problems, nail fungus, chronic cough, and sometimes pneumonia.
3)    Penicillium – Mold of this type is found in food, paint, carpet, fiberglass duct insulation, soil, grains and rotting vegetation.  Humans who have been exposed to this mold often show asthmatic symptoms, to name a common one.  Certain species of these fungi have the ability to produce mycotoxins, which can cause severe health problems such as liver and kidney damage.
4)    Stachybotrys – this fungus is better known as black mold.  One of the most toxic molds, black mold has a slimy consistency and is black in color.  Mycotoxins are produced by black mold and have been known to cause severe health problems in humans including fatigue, a compromised immune system, cancer, and asthma.  Black mold can be found in any indoor environment where prime conditions exist in the wake of a flood, water damage, or water leaks.

Other types of mold include Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Fusarium.  Each mold type, no matter what the species, has the ability to cause health difficulties and should be eliminated as soon as possible.  Mold also has the ability to destroy a homes’ structure, so that is another reason to get rid of mold in a timely manner.

Mold usually causes health problems before it is ever seen in the home.  Mold can be hiding behind walls and underneath appliances.  Pay attention if you detect a musty or mildew smell in your home.  Begin taking measures to look further than the surface of walls and baseboards to check for possible mold growth.

Once mold is eliminated and the home has been properly cleaned or had drywall, carpet, or furniture replaced, it is vital to keep mold from developing inside the home again.  Stick to a regular cleaning schedule.  Make sure to clean up any standing water and fix water-damaged areas as soon as possible.

Several types of mold are naturally present in our outdoor environment and do serve a purpose when it comes to rotting wood and vegetation.  However, in order to keep health problems at bay, it is important to inhibit mold growth inside the home, schools, or businesses.