Types of Mold In Southern Indiana & Louisville area

TYPES OF MOLD

Alternaria-Extremely widespread and common spore, common in soil, dead plants and foodstuff.  It is often found indoors growing on cellulosic materials and as settled dust on carpets, textiles,etc.  Potential opportunistic human pathogen.  Commonly recognized as type I(Hayfever) and type III hypersensitivity pneumontis.

Epicoccum- A common allergen found in plants, soil, grains, textiles, and paper products, secondary invader of damaged plant tissue.   Common cause of type I allergies ( Hayfever, asthma) No cases of infection have been reported in humans or animals.

Basidiospores-  Spores from one of the major groups of fungi that include mushrooms like the shelf fungi, puffballs and common button mushrooms sold in grocery stores.  Most spores produced from this group of fungi have not been found to be allergenic  or toxic.

Penicillium/Aspergillus- This group is considered common to indoor environments, it is widesrpead in the soil and on plants and is also considered a common contaminant of food.  It has a musty odor.  It is commonly being implicated in pulmonary disease in immunocompromised hosts.  It has also been reported to cause skin infections many species produce mycotoxins, which may be associated with disease in humans and other animals.  Toxin production is dependent on the strain  or on the food source on which it grows.  Some of these toxins have been found to be carcinogenic in animal species.  Several toxins are considered potential human carcinogens.

Stachybotrys-  This is a slow growing, dark mold that grows well on cellulosic (paper-containging) building materials.  It can produce a number of different macrocyclic trichothecenes that have been described as being toxic to humans and animals.  Individuals with chronic flu like symptoms, sore throats, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, itching and burning sensations of the eyes and nose and general malaise.  This mold is rarely found in outdoor samples and it is usually not found in indoor air samples unless the colony is physically disturbed

Eurotium-  Rarely considered a human pathogen, rarely found in the air and is a slow growing fungus that requires low moisture availability.  Common in the natural environment.

Chaetomium-  Common everywhere growing on dung, dead leaves, wood.  Likes cellulose substrates, especially wallboard and wood.  Commonly associated with type I (hay fever and asthma) allergies, uncommonly seen infecting humans but some cases have been reported mostly on immuno compromised persons.  Produces chaetoglobosins and rarely sterigomatocystin

Smuts-  Commonly  found everywhere especially on logs, grasses and weeds.  Smuts don’t normally grow indoors but can occasionally be found on things brought from outside and stored in the house.  Myzomycetes can occasionally grow indoors but need lots of water to be established.  Type I (Hay fever and asthma) allergies,  smuts and myzomycetes are a combined group of organisms because their spores look so similar and cannot be reliably distinquished from each other.

At Certainty Home Inspections, we are EPA mold specialists serving the Southern Indiana and Louisville area.

Book your inspection online today!

What Causes Mold!

What Causes Mold, you ask? Mold cannot exist without moisture. Therefore, any moisture whatsoever,
whether it be from inadequate grading and drainage, a leaking roof, window,
or door, or moisture from a faulty exhaust vent, a condensate pipe, an evaporator coil,
or a component of a plumbing system should be serviced immediately, or the
potential for mold contamination will remain.

What’s The Concern: Mold is a microorganism that has tiny seeds, or spores,
that are spread on the air, land, and feed on organic matter.
It has been in existence throughout human history, and actually contributes
to the life process. It takes many different forms, many of them benign, like mildew.
Allergensare relatively benign but can provoke allergic reactions among sensitive people.
Pathogens adverse health effects on large segments of the population,such as the very
young, the elderly, and people with suppressed immune systems. Toxigens however, less
common represent a serious health threat.

All molds flourish in the presence of moisture,es pecially where there could be a water
source, including that from condensation. We look for any evidence of it throughout the
home inspection process. Interestingly, the molds that commonly appear on ceramic tiles
in bathrooms do not usually constitute a health threat, but they should be removed. However,
some visibly similar molds that form on cellulose materials, such as on drywall, plaster, and
wood, are potentially toxigenic. If mold is to be found anywhere within a home, it will likely be in the area of tubs, showers, toilets, sinks, water heaters, evaporator coils, inside attics with un-vented bathroom exhaust fans, and return-air compartments that draw outside air. Nevertheless, mold can appear as though spontaneously at any time, so you should be prepared to monitor your home, and particularly those areas that we have identified. Naturally, it is equally
important to maintain clean air-supply ducts and to change filters as soon as they become
soiled, because contaminated ducts are a common breeding ground for dust mites, rust,
and other contaminants.
specific identification of molds can only

be determined by specialists and laboratory analysis. We recommend that you
have your home tested for the presence of any such contaminants, and particularly if you or any member of your family suffers from allergies or asthma. Also, you can learn more
about mold from an Environmental Protection Agency document entitled “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home,” by visiting their web site at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html/, from which it can be downloaded
Certainy has certified mold inspectors serving Southern Indiana and the Louisville area.

History Of Mold

In Biblical times, it was known that indoor mold could be a health concern. Mold was identified as the cause of mysterious deaths of farm animals in the 1930′s. “Stachybotrys chartarum” was found growing on wet grain used for feeding animals. The industry now calls for greater regulations and keeps a better watch on the contamination of grains that are fed to animals. In the 1970′s, homes became more air tight and they began being built with drywall instead of plaster. Although the tighter the home, the less of an energy bill, this tightness does not allow the home to breathe creating more suitable conditions for mold to start growing. Usually, if you take care of the moisture problem your home has you will eliminate the likelihood of the mold concerns. Mold is an actual plant that thrives on wet conditions. Some types of mold are harmful and are capable of creating health problems. Other types of mold are beneficial to humans like the drug penicillin or in the consumption of food such as mushrooms and aged cheese.

Click  HERE  to order your air quality analysis on your home in the Southern Indiana, or Louisville area.