Molds
Mold lives everywhere. Disturbing a mold source can disperse mold spores into the air, triggering an allergic response in some people.
Alternaria:
- Alternaria is one of the most important allergenic molds found in the US. Typically is one of the most common outdoor molds, but also has been found on the moist surfaces in homes as well. It thrives on various types of vegetation such as fruits and vegetables. Alternaria spores can be at their highest concentrations during dry, windy conditions that are ideal for the spores to become airborne.
Aspergillius:
- Aspergillus species are frequently found in air and soil. Aspergillus has been found in indoor environments with concentrations in kitchens and bathrooms and basements. Usual items aspergillius can be found: mattresses, potted plant soil, in various carpet and floor pad materials, paper wall coverings, plastic, shoes, leather upholstery, air filters, fans, humidifiers, decomposing wood.
Botrytis:
- Botrytis can attack a wide range of plant parts. It can infect some vegetables, soft fruits, overripe fruit, flowers, old flowers, trees, leaves and shrubs, It thrives on warm, wet plant foliage surfaces. Has been the cause of vineyards losing their grape crops due to this mold which results in raisins.
Candida:
- Candida Albicans, a single-celled fungus, is the most common type of microbe found in the intestinal tract. Small amounts of the yeast also live in various warm, moist areas throughout the body, including the mouth, rectum, vagina, and parts of your skin.
Chaetomium:
- Chaetomium species are found worldwide in soil, dung, or decaying plants. Destruction of paper and other materials containing cellulose (including foods, feeds, paper, textile, bird feathers, seeds and military equipment) by species of this mold is well documented.
Cladosporium:
- Cladosporium, a well known trigger for asthmatic attacks, is one of the most widespread molds. Several studies conducted in Europe and North America have shown that Cladosporium spores are present in the outdoor environment throughout the year. Cladosporium is very common on wet building material (e.g., gypsum board, acrylic painted walls, wood, wallpaper, carpet and mattress dust, HVAC fans, and wet insulation in mechanical cooling units).
Curvularia:
- Curvularia is a species that relates mostly to subtropical and tropical plant parasites. It is a widespread contaminant of seed crops. Indoors it is common in floor and mattress dust; wallpaper and painted wood.
Epicoccium:
- Epicoccium can be found in an outdoor environment containing plant debris and soil.
Fusarium:
- Fusarium is commonly found near a water source such as rain. Field spores may be transferred from grasses and crops onto fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes and root vegetables.
Mucor:
- Mucor can be found on decaying vegetation. Such as uncleared parcels of land.
Neurospora:
- Neurospora can be identified easily at times due to the spores masses having salmon pink or orange color. Severe at times in bakeries, and has been referred to as “the bread mold”
Nigrospora:
- Nigrospora is most commonly found in soil and transferred onto grasses.
Penicillium:
- Penicillium (different than Penicillin) is found on food sources that have been processed like: jams, cheeses, bread. It can also be observed on different types of fabrics in use for seating, bedding and flooring.
Phoma:
- Phoma is found on soils, plants and paper sources.
Pullularia:
- Pullularia is commonly found near water sources that have been stagnant or wet for long periods of time. Decaying wood and uncleared parcels of land.
Rhizopus:
- Rhizopus thrives on organic debris in soil and processed foods. Commonly is found on types of baked goods, jams, breads, root vegetables as well as processed meats.
Rhototorula:
- Rhototorula can be found in a wide variety of sources including air, soil, seawater, plants, dairy products, and the household bathroom environment. It is usually a pinkish to coral color.
Trichoderma:
- Trichoderma thrives on decaying wood and vegetation.
Vertillium:
- Vertillium is usually observed in an area of soil. It attaches to plants, trees and can even live in soil without a host plant present. Susceptible crops are tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, strawberries, black raspberries, artichoke, beet, cucumber, endive, okra, peppers, radish, rhubarb, and watermelon.