Common Types of Mold

In recent years there have been thousands of property claims filed concerning mold damage. Many adjusters ask for basic information concerning the characteristics and dangers of the different types of mold. For your convenience we have put together this informative table:

Name	Sample Image	Brief Description
Alternaria		Alternaria sp. - Extremely widespread and ubiquitous. It is commonly found in outdoor samples and can be isolated in soil, seeds, and plants. It is often found in carpets, textiles, and on horizontal surfaces in building interiors. Often found on window frames. Common cause of asthma and allergies and even possible chronic cases of pulmonary emphysema.
Aspergillus		Aspergillus sp. - Members of this genus (approximately 150 species) have been recovered from a variety of habitats, but are especially common on decaying vegetation, soils and stored food. Some species are parasitic on insects, plants and animals, including man. Some are reported to cause a variety of opportunistic infections of the ears and eyes. Pulmonary infections may also occur. All of the species contained in this genus should be considered allergenic.
Cladosporium		Cladosporium sp. - Most commonly identified outdoor fungus. The outdoor numbers are reduced in the winter. The numbers are often high in the summer. Often found indoors in numbers less than outdoor numbers. It is a common allergen. It is commonly found on the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of supply ducts. A wide variety of plants are food sources for this fungus. It is found on dead plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil, paint and textiles. Common cause of asthma and allergies.
Penicillium		Penicillium sp. - A wide number of organisms have placed in this genera. Often found in aerosol samples. Commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, and grains. It is also found in paint and compost piles. It may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergies in susceptible individuals. It is commonly found in carpet, wallpaper, and in interior fiberglass duct insulation. Some species can produce mycotoxins.
Stachybotrys		Stachybotrys sp. - Several strains of this fungus may produce a mycotoxin which is poisonous by inhalation. The toxins are present on the fungal spores. This is a slow growing fungus that grows on building material with a high cellulose content and a low nitrogen content. Individuals with chronic exposure to the toxin produced by this fungus reported cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss, and generalized malaise