Common Household Molds

9/14/2017 (Permalink)

Mold spores are everywhere in our environment and can enter our homes easier than you would think. Most types of mold grow quickly, if they have a water source, an organic food source and temperatures between 60 and 86 Fahrenheit. Since many homes may have 1 or 2 of these characteristics, especially in the bathrooms, we need to know what to look for in regards to common household molds, and how they affect our health.

Cladosporium

• Characteristics: green, brown, grey, or black; powdery appearance.
• Where it Grows: on food, dead plants, wood, insulation, and dark, damp environments.
• Health Effects: can cause severe allergic reactions, and harmful for people with asthma, allergies, or weakened immune systems.

Aspergillus

• Characteristics: grey, brown, yellow, green, white, or black and grows quickly.
• Where it Grows: on walls, insulation, soil, clothing, and humid, moist areas.
• Health Effects: can cause infections in people with weak immune systems, or produces a carcinogen called aflatoxin.

Penicillium

• Characteristics: green, white, or blue; fuzzy appearance.
• Where it Grows: on food, walls, insulation, and moist, organic matter.
• Health Effects: irritates the stomach if ingested; airborne spores can cause congestion, coughing and/or eye irritation.

Alternaria

• Characteristics: dark green, grey, or black; long, velvety hairs; doesn’t need much water to grow.
• Where it Grows: on carpets, clothing, around windows, and damp areas such as flooded houses.
• Health Effects: can cause respiratory problems, asthma, or hay fever.

Stachybotrys, known as “Toxic Black Mold”

• Characteristics: dark green, or black; slimy
• Where it Grows: on walls, ceilings, floorboards, and any moist area.
• Health Effects: may cause cancer, headaches, asthma, dizziness, or joint pain.

Memnoniella

• Characteristics: dark green, or black; smaller than stachybotrys
• Where it Grows: on cotton, canvas, wool, ceilings, walls, or damp areas.
• Health Effects: can cause respiratory problems, headaches, or coughing.