Types of Mold and Their Dangers

Mold is a type of fungus. It can grow almost anywhere, including outdoors on living and decomposing organic matter and indoors, especially on organic surfaces. When there’s an infestation of these fungi in your Spring Hill, FL, home, you may smell it before you see it. If you can see the growth on walls, cabinets, fabrics, cardboard or other surfaces, there’s a problem. Read on to learn about several types of indoor mold and their dangers to your health and well-being.

Stachybotrys Mold

Stachybotrys is also called “black mold.” It is one of the most toxic indoor fungi, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stachybotrys releases a strong musty odor. It can be green or black in color. Exposure to stachybotrys often causes a range of symptoms, including extreme fatigue, diarrhea, memory loss, headaches and lung damage.

Chaetomium Mold

Chaetomium is similar to stachybotrys. It grows in areas of homes with water damage and thrives on wet drywall, carpet, cardboard, baseboards and wallpaper. Chaetomium can trigger allergies. You may develop symptoms including red, itchy eyes or irritated skin. Breathing chaetomium spores could cause some people to develop neurological damage. People may also develop certain autoimmune diseases from exposure to chaetomium spores.

Fusarium

Fusarium usually grows on decomposing leaves, but it can get into your home and grow in your air conditioner or heat pump’s condensate drain, your dehumidifier’s pan or under damp carpets. Fusarium also grows in drywall. If your eyes are exposed to this fungus’s spores, you can get a serious eye infection called fusarium keratitis.

Alternaria

Alternaria is a common allergy-inducing fungus. It grows in all climate zones during the warmer months of the year. You may find it growing on fabrics, cardboard, electrical cables or canvas. Alternaria may trigger nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing or difficulty breathing.

For more information about the dangers of indoor fungi and their spores, take a look at ServiceMaster Professional Services’ mold remediation services, or get in touch with us today. Any of these molds growing in your home is a serious situation that should be addressed right away. We specialize in mold remediation and have the knowledge to safely remove the mold so it doesn’t return. Call us today for additional information.