Glossary
In the mood for everyday reading? (haha) Learn about the most common types of molds and why they are present indoors.
Learn about mold species and their effects
Mold that is growing indoors is not natural. Outdoor mold is and will always be present.
Damaged or wet materials will eventually grow mold if let untreated. Did you know that indoor plants can also cultivate mold spores?
If you live in Lakeland, FL then you know how humid it is outside. Leaving doors and windows open during hot times is not a good idea.
Stachybotrys (Black Mold)
Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold. It can grow on material with a high cellulose content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, and paper. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding. If Stachybotrys chartarum or other molds are found in a building they should be removed.
Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds may cause health symptoms that are nonspecific. All molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal.
Aspergillus and Penicillium
Aspergillus and Penicillium are two of the most common mold genera that we see in air samples. When dealing with spore trap lab results, you will often see these types listed together in groups such as Aspergillus/Penicillium, Asp/Pen, or Pen/Asp. Visually, spores of these genera are so similar that analysts can not differentiate them, so they are reported together.
Chaetomium and Cladosporium
Chaetomium has been found on paper in sheetrock. When this mold is found indoors, the site should be considered a wet condition, which means that other molds may be present. It may be found on wet drywall, wall-paper, carpets, window frames, baseboards and plywood. This mold causes many problems of bio- deterioration of paper and other cellulose-containing material, including paper and plant compost.