Mold Testing

(all-tur-nair’-ee-uh) – common allergen /contaminant / opportunistic pathogen, one of the most common molds found world wide in soil and on plants, and can commonly can be found indoors (frequently appearing black on window frames)- lt is an important airborne allergen and common agent for hay fever, asthma, and other allergy related symptoms.

(all-tur-nair’-ee-uh) – contaminant, found commonly on dead plants and in soil. Generally not considered to have much health significance, but one species is reported to be an allergen. IAQ significance relates to that Arthrinium will grow in the same conditions as Stachybotrys (wet cellulose) and amplified amounts in indoor air could be a warning that conditions do exist for Stachybotrys growth.

(ass-co’-spores) – A large category of spores (produced in a sac-like structure) that are found everywhere in nature and include more than 3000 genera. Most Ascospores of health or IAQ importance are identified separately by their genus (e.g. Chaetomium) when possible on a IAQ report, and the Ascospore category is used primarily on these reports for a large group of less important spore types often found in quantity on outdoor air samples. On tape samples, Ascospore is sometimes also used as a general morphotogical identification (i.e. the ascus or sac structure is present) for certain samples in those cases when the spores do not appear to represent any of the IAQ significant genera.

(as-per-jill-us) – allergen / contaminant / opportunistic pathogen, commonly found in the environment around the world. lt comprises approximately 200 species and can appear almost any color. Though commonly found on cultures, tape-lifts, and air samples, its spores are indistinguishable from Pencillium on non-cultured samples (like tape-lifts and air-o-cells) unless the conidiophore is present. Health effects vary by species, but many species are reported to be allergenic. Some species produce toxins that might have significant health effects in humans. Aspergillus is one of the most infectious of molds, but infections are not common in normal immune systems. ln immuno-compromised individuals, however, the disease Aspergillosis is a very significant and potentially deadly health concern.

(are-ee-oh-buh-syd’-ee-um) – contaminant / opportunistic pathogen, found worldwide in soil, food, and wood, rarely associated with human disease but reported to be allergenic.

(bah-sid-ee-oh’-spores) – allergen / contaminant, a general class of spore formed on a structure known as a basidium, characteristic of the Basidiomycete class (that includes rusts, smuts, and mushrooms). This category is commonly found in outdoor air samples. Many species are reported to be allergenic and some species are associated with dry rot in wood. Elevated airborne concentrations indoors might be indicative of water damage or too high of humidity.

(bow-vary-uh) – contaminant, known to be pathogenic in animals and insects. Rarely involved in human infection.

(bow-try-tus) – contaminant, parasitic on plants and fruits. Rarely involved in human infection, but it is reported to be allergenic.

(k-toe-me-um) – contaminant, rarely involved in systemic and cutaneous disease and sometimes reported to be allergenic. Some species can produce toxins, and there is some research interest on whether these toxins can cause cancer. Primary IAQ importance is currently related to that it will grow in the same conditions as Stachybotrys (wet cellulose) and amplified amounts in indoor air could be a warning that conditions do exist for Stachybotrys growth. Many times on damp sheetrock paper, colonies of Chaetomium and Stachybotrys will grow on top of one another or side by side. (This can also be an important consideration when doing tape lifts of sheetrock because most of the time, the colonies are not distinguishable by the naked eye – the small area that is sampled might be a pure colony of just Chaetomium even though numerous colonies of Stachybotrys might exist.)

(kris -o-nil-ee-a) – contaminant, brightly colored, last growing mold, which spreads easily through contamination. Health effects are not yet known. It is found in soil, breads, and contaminated laboratory cultures.

(clad-oh-spore-ee-um) – common allergen /contaminant / very rarely pathogenic, found everywhere, many times the most common and numerous mold found in outdoor air. lndoor concentrations are usually not as high, but it is an important airborne allergen and common agent for hay fever, asthma, and other allergy related symptoms. lt can thrive in various indoor environments, appearing light green to black (the black mold on air vent grills is usually Cladosporium)

(curve-you-lair’-ee-uh) – contaminant / opportunistic pathogen, found in air, soil and textiles. Reported to be allergenic. Rare significant of corneas, nails, and sinuses, primarily in immunocompromised individuals.

(dim-ah-tie-ay-shush) – a very generic morphological description used for various brown molds (mainly on tape-lifts) that cannot be identified because of undistinguishable spores structures or because of too much environmental damage to the mold structures. This identification generally excludes many of the common toxic and more infectious molds found indoors, but on some occasions when the mold is very weathered or damaged, this category could potentially include mold from Alternaria, Epicoccum, Ulocladium, or others.

(dresh-lair’-uh) / (by-pole-air’-us) – contaminant / opportunistic pathogen, found in soil. Allergenic and the most common agent for allergic fungal sinusitis. Various but uncommon infections of the eye, nose, lungs, and skin.

(epp-ee-cock’-um) – contaminant / opportunistic pathogen, found in soil, air, water, and rotting vegetation and can be commonly found in outdoor air. lt is a common allergen, and rarely it can cause an infection in the skin.

(ex-oh-fy’-att-uh) – contaminant / opportunistic pathogen. Commonly found in soil, decaying wood, and various other wet materials because it thrives in water-laden environments. Indoors it can be found in air conditioning systems, humidifiers, and other surfaces in frequent contact with moisture. Some species linked to occasional skin infections and various other subcutaneous lesions. Allergenic effects and toxicity are not well studied.

(few-sarh-ee-um) – contaminant / opportunistic pathogen, found on fruit, grains, and is common in soil. lndoors it sometimes contaminates humidifiers. Associated with eye and various other infections in immunocompromised individuals and particularly burn patients. Produces a variety of toxins mainly important when ingested, particularly through contaminated grain products.

(gee-oh-trick-um) – contaminant, commonly found in dairy products and found as a normal part of human flora. There are some reports of infection in compromised hosts, but most of these are not well documented.