Types of Mold Found in the Home
Advisory Report - October 2003
The Mold Issue: Part Two of Three
Mold Types
Toxic mold sits near the top of today’s hotbed of issues for home inspectors. With uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding regulation and measurement standards, coupled with the media attention on mold’s health risks, U.S. Inspect receives daily inquiries regarding mold and the mold evaluation process. The second article in this series on mold, we will discuss the three types of mold.
Mold is an essential part of our eco system and its purpose is to decompose organic material such as dead leaves and trees. While mold serves a great purpose in the outdoor environment, its presence in homes results in poor indoor air quality and potential negative health effects. It is normal to find mold in your home, the simple act of opening your door or window allows mold spores to enter your home. The primary concern is whether or not your home provides an environment that is conducive to mold growth. If a home has an active water leak, mold spores now have a food source that allows mold to continue to grow and start new colonies.
Mold testing identifies the type of mold found and categorizes it into three different groups
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Allergenic
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Pathogenic
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Mycotoxic
Allergenic molds generally do not cause adverse health effects when found in low concentrations. High concentrations of allergenic mold can cause allergic or asthmatic reactions and can be far more severe in people with mold allergies or existing respiratory ailments. Common allergenic molds are alternaria, aspergillus, and penicillium.
Pathogenic molds are a serious concern for individuals with compromised immune systems because they are more susceptible to infection.
Mycotoxic (also called Toxigenic, or Toxic) molds can cause serious health concerns in both people and animals that range from infection to possibly cancer. The most well known toxic mold is Stachybotrys—also referred to as black mold.
There is more than one type of mold and identifying it assists mold remediators with determining the best course of corrective action. In next month’s newsletter, we will cover mold remediation procedures in further detail.
Click here for more information about mold.
Contributed by Elizabeth Watts
Relocation Account Executive
U.S. Inspect, LLC
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