Which moulds need immediate attention?

MouldChek identifies these indoor moulds that warrant prompt inspection: Aspergillus spp., Alternaria sp., Candida albicans, Chaetomium spp., Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium sp., Scopulariopsis sp., Stachybotrys chartarum (the black mould). Seniors, babies, mothers-to-be, small kids, and people with an asthma-like symptom history are in the high-risk group.

What is Stachybotrys chartarum, the black mould?

Stachybotrys chartarum (the black mould) is found on contaminated grains, tobacco, insulator foams, wallpaper, carpets, basement, drywall, wood, indoor air and water-damaged buildings. Clinical reports include stomatitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, pancytopenia and neurological disorders in animals following ingestion of hay contaminated with Stachybotrys.

Moulds around Us

Unfortunately, most moulds grow very well at the same temperatures that humans prefer. In addition, anyone who has cleaned out their refrigerator quickly realized that temperatures close to freezing are not cold enough to prevent mould growth and temperatures that are much warmer than humans prefer, like those of the tropics, will grow abundant quantities of mould. Therefore, growth in our home environment is through the control of temperatures.

Mould is composed of long filaments called hyphae. Mould hyphae grow over the surface and inside nearly all substances of plant or animal origin. All of us are exposed to some moulds every day with no ill effects. We may breathe in mould spores that are present in the air or eat foods in which mould has begun to grow, but mould-related allergenic and asthmatic conditions in homes are very common and could be very serious, and should not be ignored. Nearly all fungi (moulds) cause a wide variety of diseases and infections, especially in persons with a severely compromised immune system. Seniors, babies, mothers-to-be, small kids, and people with an asthma-like symptom history are also in the high-risk group.

If you suspect indoor growth, our sampling methods and air quality tests can identify what is present. Stachybotrys chartarum is covered on black mould testing. We inspect homes and workplaces in Toronto and York Region. Contact us to book an inspection.

Immediate Attention Moulds

These indoor moulds are identified in our laboratory and warrant prompt inspection. They grow on everyday household materials and can affect seniors, babies, mothers-to-be, small kids, and people with asthma-like symptoms. We confirm what is present with mould sampling and air quality tests in Toronto and York Region.

Indoor mould species that warrant immediate attention, with where each is found and reported clinical syndromes.
Mould species	Where it is found	Clinical syndromes
Aspergillus spp.	Found on carpets, wallpaper, drywall, wood, basement, bathrooms, kitchen and soil	Clinical syndromes Hay fever, Asthma, Humidifier lung, Malt worker's lung, Compost lung, Wood trimmer's disease, Straw hypersensitivity, Farmer's lung, Oat grain hypersensitivity, others.
Alternaria sp.	Found on wide variety of substrates from carpets and window frames to soil and plants	Clinical syndromes Hay fever, Asthma, Humidifier lung, Compost lung, Wood trimmer's disease, Straw hypersensitivity, Farmer's lung, nasal and subcutaneous lesions, infections in immunocompromised individuals. Major plant pathogens. Alternaria spp. have emerged as opportunistic pathogens particularly in patients with immunosuppression, such as bone marrow transplant patients and AIDS patients.
Candida albicans	Found on naturally lives in each gastrointestinal tract, mucous membranes and on the skin	Clinical syndromes When our body's ecosystem becomes imbalanced Candida overgrowth can occur, thus allowing it to attack any organ or system in our body.
Chaetomium spp.	Found on carpets, wood, mattresses, soil, air, and plant debris	Clinical syndromes Hay fever, Asthma, rare cause of nail infections, brain abscess and peritonitis.
Cladosporium spp.	Found on textiles, window sills, wood, kitchen, bathroom and basement, capable of growing on refrigerated foods	Clinical syndromes Hay fever, Asthma, Humidifier lung, Malt worker's lung, Compost lung, Wood trimmer's disease, Straw hypersensitivity, Farmer's lung, Oat grain hypersensitivity, others.
Fusarium spp.	Found on wallpaper and in the basement, requires very wet conditions	Clinical syndromes Hay fever, Asthma, cause of mycotic eye infections, keratitis, onychomycosis, mycetoma, and disseminated infection in immunocompromised patients, can also cause root rot and seedling blight.
Penicillium sp.	Found on carpets, wood, mattresses, in the basement and on food	Clinical syndromes Penicillium has been isolated from patients with keratitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis, and urinary tract infections. Most Penicillium infections are encountered in immunosuppressed hosts. Penicillium marneffei infection, so called penicilliosis marneffei, is acquired via inhalation and results in initial pulmonary infection. The lymphatic system, liver, spleen and bones are usually involved. Acne-like skin papules on face, trunk, and extremities are observed during the course of the disease.
Scopulariopsis sp.	Found on wallpaper, carpets and wood	Clinical syndromes Skin lesions, mycetoma, invasive sinusitis, keratitis, endophthalmitis, pulmonary infections, endocarditis, brain abscess and disseminated infections due to Scopulariopsis spp. have been reported. Invasive Scopulariopsis infections are seen mainly in immunocompromised hosts, such as bone marrow transplant recipients.
Stachybotrys chartarum (the black mould)	Found on contaminated grains, tobacco, insulator foams, wallpaper, carpets, basement, drywall, wood, indoor air and water-damaged buildings	Clinical syndromes Stomatitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, pancytopenia and neurological disorders developed in animals following ingestion of hay contaminated with Stachybotrys.