Are All Types Of Mold Dangerous?

Mold is a fungus that typically appears as fuzzy spots with colors ranging from green to black to gray. The presence of mold is common, and more than 100,000 different mold species have been identified, though more varieties are thought to exist. Depending on the type of mold and the health status of the person or animal around it, dangerous mold varieties can be harmful and even deadly. While molds are not inherently toxic, certain mold species are toxigenic, producing mycotoxins, or toxins originating from fungus. Even in small amounts, mycotoxins can cause a toxic response in humans and animals. Do you have dangerous kinds of mold in your home or business? Here, our restoration company, Maven Construction Group, discusses the different types of mold and distinguishes allergenic molds from pathogenic and toxic molds.

Contact our home restoration company to request a quote for professional mold testing,  mold removal and restoration services, plus 24/7 emergency water removal, and water damage remediation and restoration services.

Allergenic Molds

Mold spores exist in the air and reproduce by creating tiny spores. Everyone breathes in mold spores, but some mold spores can cause an allergic reaction or asthmatic symptoms. Airborne mold spores can filter in through the nose and cause sneezing, itchiness, a runny nose, nasal congestion, and dry skin. Mold spores can penetrate the body by entering the lungs and triggering an asthma attack or episode. The most common molds with allergy-causing spores include the following mold genuses. In addition to these types, other common allergenic molds include Epicoccum, Fusarium, Helminthosporium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Pullularia. Contact us for additional information and to schedule mold remediation.

• Alternaria. Common outdoor mold often appears as dark, gray spots. This type thrives indoors on damp surfaces, such as wood. The most common varieties are A. tenuissima and A. alternate.
• Aspergillus. This mold is the most commonly found in hospitals and can be particularly bothersome for those with serious illnesses, such as COPD or asthma. It can cause airway inflammation and other allergic responses.
• Cladosporium. One of the most widespread molds, Cladosporium, commonly grows on wet building materials, such as acrylic painted walls, wood, wallpaper, carpet, mattress dust, and wet insulation in HVAC or mechanical cooling systems.
• Penicillium. Penicillium comprises hundreds of mold species and typically appears blue-green. Some species of this mold produce airborne spores that can be allergen and asthma triggers to individuals sensitive to them.

Pathogenic Molds

Pathogenic molds can cause infections in humans, even in good health. Some genus of molds comprises species under the allergenic category and the pathogenic category, such as the Aspergillus genus, which include several allergenic species and one pathogenic species (fumigatus). The most common types of pathogenic molds include Aspergillus, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Histoplasma capsulatum.

• Aspergillus species (A. fumigatus, A. flavus). A. fumigatus is the most common species of the genus and is the leading cause of chronic pulmonary infections and may even produce mycotoxins, which can be detrimental to health.
• Cryptococcus neoformans. Infections, such as cryptococcal meningitis (a form of fungal meningitis), can develop after a person inhales this genus’ spores, though it is less common for healthy individuals.
• Histoplasma capsulatum. H. capsulatum causes histoplasmosis, an infectious disease, and, when inhaled, it can cause pneumonia, a lung infection. This mold is commonly found in soil, but it can also occur in bat and bird droppings.

Toxigenic Molds

Toxigenic molds comprise species of mold that create mycotoxins, chemical metabolic byproducts, which can cause a toxic response in humans and animals. Mycotoxins are not the same as the mold spores produced for reproduction, but they can become airborne and travel alongside mold spores. Mycotoxins can likewise travel through the air on tiny dust particles and small pieces of wallpaper, which can result in easy inhalation by humans and animals. Some of the most common toxigenic molds found growing indoors include the following. If you think you might have a mold problem or you suspect dangerous black mold in your home or business, it’s critical you contact a professional mold remediation company, such as Maven Construction Group, for prompt mold testing, removal, and purification.

• Fusarium species. Including: F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme.
• Penicillium species. Including: P. brevicompactum, P. chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P. corylophilum, P. cyclopium, P. expansum. P. fellutanum, P. spinulosum, P. viridicatum).
• Aspergillus species. Including: A. versicolor, A. niger, A. flavus. 
• Stachybotrys chartarum. Also commonly referred to and identified as black mold.