Common Types of Dangerous Toxic Mold Species

ALTERNARIA
A very common allergen that is often found in carpets and textiles and on horizontal surfaces in building interiors. It has been associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. It is a common cause of extrinsic asthma. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms; chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

ASPERGILLUS
Prevent under a variety of moisture conditions as a contaminant on almost any outdoor or indoor surface. There are at least 15 varieties of Aspergillus mold that can be found in homes and offices, and most are allergy-inducing or toxic. May produce volatile organic compounds (VOC's) that result in unpleasant odors. Causes Type-I and Type-III allergies. It is implicated in numerous respiratory disorders as well as infections of the ear, eye, and invasive disease. Other infection sites for susceptible individuals vary widely. May produce several toxins with cytotoxic and carcinogenic [cancer-causing] effects. At least four types of Aspergillus are toxigenic (poisonous): (a) Aspergillus Parasiticus; (b) Aspergillus Flavus; (c) Aspergillus Versicolor; and (d) Aspergillus Fumigatus. These toxic Aspergillus varieties are known as aflatoxins and are the most widely studied molds in medical research. Aflatoxins are more toxic than many known industrial cancer causing substances, and they are acutely toxic to the liver, brain, kidneys and heart, and with chronic exposure, are potent carcinogens of the liver. Symptoms of acute aflatoxicosis are fever, vomiting, coma, and convusions [from "Hazardous Molds in Homes and Offices" on website www.envirovillage.com]. Aspergillus Niger has been reported to cause skin and pulmonary infections. It is a common cause of fungal related ear infections.

AUREOBASIDIUM
Is a known Type-I and Type-III allergen that can sometimes cause infections in the human skin, nails, and eyes.

BIPOLARIS
A fungus with large spores which would be expected to be deposited in the upper respiratory tract of humans. It can cause Type-I and Type-III allergies. It causes skin, nail, and eye infections. This fungus can produce the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin which has been shown to produce liver and kidney damage when ingested by laboratory.

CANDIDA
This known allergen is a yeast species that is a close cousin to mold. In recent years, the collection of problems related to this yeast has come to be known as candida-related complex (CRC), a term coined by allergist George Kroker, M.D. CRC embraces a variety of conditions ranging from mild to fatal. Candida can cause infections of the vagina (candida vaginitis) and mouth (thrush), as well as infections of the ears, nose, sinuses, fingers, toes, tongue, throat, esophagus, and the entire digestive tract.

CHAETOMIUM
A known allergen that causes Type-I and Type-III allergies. Common Picture of chaetomium mold on many indoor surfaces, especially on material containing cellulose. Prevalent within carpets, cardboard, paper, and sheetrock. It can cause skin and nail infections. Some species produce sterigmatocystin, mycotoxin shown to cause kidney and liver damage in laboratory animals.

CLADOSPORIUM
Is a known allergen that, in high concentrations, causes respiratory problems.

PENICILLIUM
It is commonly found in carpet, wallpaper, and interior fiberglass duct Picture of Penicillium Mold growing in a culture plate insulation. It may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis and skin allergy problems. Some species can produce poisons [mycotoxins]. It is a common cause of extrinsic asthma. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms; chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema. Penicillium is the second most dangerous mold (after Stachybotrys) because it attacks lung tissues.

RHIZOPUS
A known allergenic which can cause mucorosis in immune-compromised individuals. It is often linked to occupational allergy. This sites of infection of Rhizopus are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have multiple sites.

STACHYBOTRYS
Several strains produce spores with poisonous toxins. Chronic exposure has caused cold and flu symptoms, fatigue, diarrhea, headaches, sore throat, hair loss, immune system suppression, memory loss, and severe brain damage. Whereas most mold spores can begin growing after just 24 hours of wetness, Stachybotrys spores take at least 48 hours of wetness to begin growth. Stachybotrys survives and grows best in a continually wet environment like a slow water leak in a wall. Stachybotrys spores are rarely airborne. Stachy is usually identified by direct swabs or lift tape samples of the mold itself with laboratory analysis. When active and growing in a wet environment, the mold can look black, shiny, slimy.

TELIOMYCETES
Commonly known as true slime molds. Health problems may occur either through ingestion of contaminated food, or through the inhalation of spores. In severe cases, the fungus can produce hemorrhagic syndrome in humans. This is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, and extensive internal bleeding.

TRICHODERMA
Trichoderma is allergenic and it produce antibiotics that are toxic to humans. It readily degrades cellulose, and it will grow in other fungi.

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Refer also to the Mold Health Guide for more relevant information on mold species.