Ever wondered what comes back from the lab? Listed below is a list of common mold spores from samples taken at client’s homes:
Alternaria – a common allergen causing hay fever or hypersensitive reactions that can lead to asthma. Serious infections are rare, except in people with compromised immune systmes. Normal agents from the decomposition of plants.
Arthrinium – no reported infections reported with this fungus. Normally not found indoors.
Ascospores – very common outdoor spore, associated with rain and moisture.
Aspergillus/Penicillium-Like – possible allegren. Common cause of respirator irritation and infection. Found on water damaged wallpaper, carpet & organic materials.
Basidiospores – possible allergen to sensitive individuals, no known serious helath effects associated with this fungus. Mushrooms and dry rot are an example of basidiospore prodcuing fungi.
Bipolaris/Dreschlera – allergen that can affect nose, skin, eye and upper respiratory track. Found on grasses, grains and decaying food.
Botrytis – potential allergen, hay fever and asthma effects. Parasite commonly found growing on indoor plants.
Chaetomium – not well studied, but possible allergen with hay fever and asthmatic effects. Rare cases of nail infections. Found on a variety of cellulose, paper and plant compost.
Cladosporium – potential allergen, hay fever and asthma effects. Grows well in damp environments on textiles and window sills.
Cuvularia – hay fever, asthma, and/or allergic fungal sinusitis are some of the potential allergens associated with this fungi. Possible human health risk. Has been known to cause oychomycosis, ocular keratitus, mycetoma, pneumonia, endocarditis, cerebral abscess, and disseminated infection. Mos cases are from immunocompromsed patients. Grows on various indoor building materials.
Epicoccum – potential allergen, effects are hay fever, asthma and skin allergies. Found in soil, air and rotting vegetation.
Fusarium – another potential allergen, hay fever and asthma effects. Commonly found on fruit rot, requires very wet conditions.
Ganoderma – commonly found in the atmosphere, grows on wood products. Possible allergen at high concentrations.
Memnoniella – mycotoxin producing spore related to and often found in conjunction with stachybotrys.
Nigrospora – potential allergen, hay fever and asthma effects. Usually not found growing indoors. Found on decaying plant material and soil.
Oidium/Peronospora – common obligate parasites on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits of living higher plants.
Pithomyces – possible allergen, grows well on paper indoors given the right conditions.
Rust – potential allergen, hay fever and asthma effects. Rarely found growing indoors.
Smut/Myxomyces/Periconia – potential allergen, hay fever & asthma effects. Rarely found growing indoors.
Stachybotrys – often referred to as toxic black mold. Has the ability to produce mycotoxins which may cause a burning sensations in the mouth, throat and nasal passages. Chronic exposure has been know to cause headaches, diarrhea, memory loss and brain damage. Found growing on water damaged cellulose, paper and ceiling tiles.
Torula – potential allergen, hay fever and asthma effects. Found growing on cellulose, paper, wicker, straw baskets and ceiling tiles.
Ulocladium – grows well on cellulose containing materials like paper, straw, wallboard, etc. Requires very wet conditions.
Unidentified spores – common mold spores that can not be accurately identified.
Hyphal Fragments – branched structures with cell walls. Hyphae are somewhat analogous to stems or roots in plants whereas the spores would be analogous to the seeds.
Pollen – an allergen that causes hay fever. Pollen is microscopic round or oval grains produced by plants.
Keep in mind that these common mold spores are microscopic and cannot be seen with the naked eye. You could possibly be breathing in one or more of these spores!