When you find mold in your home often your immediate response it to panic! When mold is growing on a surface, spores can be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled. These spores in small amounts may not be harmful, however as the spores grow, mold can create rather large health issues.
Here is a list of 6 common household mold types that are found in your home and how it can affect your health:
Cladosporium
Characteristics
- Green, brown, gray or black
- Powdery appearance
Where it grows
- Food
- Dead Plants
- Wood
- Insulation
- Dark, damp environments like basements
Health Effects
- Can cause severe allergic reactions
- Harmful for people with asthma, allergies, and weakened immune systems
Aspergillus
Characteristics
- Gray, brown, yellow, green, white or black
- Grows very quickly
Where it grows
- Walls
- Insulation
- Soil
- Clothing
- Humid, moist areas like leaky basements
Health Effects
- Can cause infections in people with weakened immune systems
- Produces a carcinogen called aflatoxin
Penicillium
Characteristics
- Green, white or blue
- Fuzzy appearance
Where it grows
- Food
- Walls
- Insulation
- Moist organic matter
Health Effects
- Irritates the stomach if ingested
- Airborne spores can cause congestion, coughing and eye irritation
Alternaria
Characteristics
- Dark green, gray or black
- Long, velvety hairs
- Doesn’t need as much water to grow as other molds
Where it grows
- Carpet
- Clothing
- Around windows
- Damp areas such as flooded basements
Health Effects
- Respiratory problems
- Asthma
- Hay fever
Stachybotrys
Characteristics
- Dark green or black
- Slimy
- Often referred to as “toxic black mold”
Where it grows
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Floorboards
- Any moist area
Health Effects
- May cause cancer
- Headaches
- Asthma
- Dizziness
- Joint pain
Memnoniella
Characteristics
- Dark green or black
- Smaller than stachybotrys
Where it grows
- Cotton
- Canvas
- Wool
- Ceilings
- Walls
- Damp areas such as basements
Health Effects
- Can cause severe allergic reactions
- Harmful for people with asthma, allergies, and weakened immune systems