Mold is a very generic term, since more than 400,000 known varieties exist. Some of these varieties don’t even have names attached to them, but some are also far more rare than others. Only a handful of mold varieties commonly plague households, while rarer varieties may appear intermittently, giving mold removal experts a run for their money.
The most common indoor mold is called Cladosporium. It’s allergenic, but non-toxic, it can appear black and green. Bipolaris is another very common spore that can take on multiple colors. Stachybotrys chartarum (also identified as Stachybotrys atra) is the dreaded “black mold,” and although it’s not one of the more common molds, the CDC warns that it’s not exactly rare either.
Stachybotrys is referred to as “toxigenic” because it releases toxins, but other common molds can release toxins as well. These include Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and Penicillium. To make matters even more complicated, Penicillium is also harnessed for use in blue cheese.
Other common molds that you may encounter include Fusarium, Alternaria, Curvularia, Nigrospora, Acremonium, Chryososporium and Trichoderma…among others. Unfortunately, you usually can’t identify a mold just by looking at it. In order to determine a spore type, proper sampling is needed. So if you have mold growing, call an expert.
And remember that mold is just one classification of fungus. It should not be confused with yeasts, although certain yeasts can take on mold forms during their life cycle. And as for mildew, that’s just mold in an early or underdeveloped state. It comes from the same spores, and points to the same household problem. But fortunately, mildew is much easier to manage. Just zap it with a disinfectant spray and rid it from your life.
All information on this website is intended for research purposes only, and is in no way intended as a substitute for professional consultation or inspection. Information is gathered from a variety of sources including government websites and mold remediation websites, and may not always be accurate. Any mold removal effort is done at your own risk. "Mold and Mildew Remedies" bears no responsibility in the event of illness or structural damage. Always contact a professional mold remediator for best results.
