Mold can be a difficult thing to come across inside your home or business. It is always an intruder, but it is also something that not very many people know a lot about. Mold can make a person thing of very scary things, like illness and death, but many types do not produce compounds that are harmful to healthy human adults. In this article we will take a look at some of the more common household molds. They are cladosporium, penicillium, alternaria, and aspergillus.
First, we will examine cladosporium. This mold can come in black, brown and olive green. Cladosporium is a mostly harmless to people and although it is abundant, has only really been linked to minor health issues. It is known to cause skin and toenail issues, along with sinus infections. Cladosporium can cause more serious issues in compromised immune systems. People who suffer from asthma or have allergies can have adverse reactions to the presence of this mold
Penicillium is another extremely common form of household mold. This is a type of mold that most people are familiar with. Of course, penicillium is the type of mold that produces penicillin, a popular antibiotic that is often used to kill bacteria inside the human body. Penicillium is often blue, clear or green in color. This mold does not always grow in heavily moist areas, and is instead often responsible for food spoilage. It can grow in low humidity, as long as the surface it colonizes has a sufficient amount of moisture.
The third type of common household mold is called alternaria. Alternaria is a significant threat to plant life, and can also be a major nuisance to humans. They cause hay fever and can lead to asthma attacks, and can be a major health risk to people who are already suffering from a compromised immune system – like those who have a cold or are suffering from a long term illness. This specific mold can be a large producer of mycotoxins, toxic compounds that are thought to have negative health effects if consumed by humans. They are often found in colonies that are green, black, or gray.
The fourth type of common household mold is a mold called aspergillus. These molds often grow in very starchy environments, and environments that have very little in the way of nourishment. They cause the spoilage of bread and potatoes, and are known to grow on damp walls. Some of the species of this type of mold are helpful in breaking down starches for human consumption, and some are dangerous producers of harmful toxins. These toxins can be significant allergens and can sometimes even be carcinogens.
Hopefully, this has helped familiarize you with the types of mold that could be found in your house. These are not all harmful, and some are even beneficial in the right circumstances.