Mold Classes & Classes of Mold-Related Illness
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• An Encyclopedic List of Mold Classes & Classes of Mold-Related Illnesss

This document lists classes or types of mold (harmless to toxic) and names types of mold-related illness. It provides information about indoor air quality investigation methodology in searching for possible causes of respiratory illness, asthma, immune system disorders, rashes, skin disease, psychological and neurological disorders, eye infections, or other symptoms which may have a physiological and environmental component. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Classes or Types of Mold - by Degree of Potential Effect of Mold on Humans

Cosmetic mold

"Cosmetic mold" refers to mold genera or species which are unlikely to be a health hazard nor to cause damage to the building structure. A common example found on framing lumber, often from time of construction, is black mold in the Ophistomacae group including Ophistoma spp. and Ceratocystis spp. which are commonly known as "blue stain" fungi. If these are present in the finished living space it may be appropriate to clean and coat the stained areas for cosmetic reasons. More costly measures are unlikely to be justified.

Allergenic mold

"Allergenic mold" is not normally dangerous in small quantities, but can be a problem for people who are particularly allergic to mold or who have asthma. In large quantities it is more likely to be a problem for these individuals. Allergenic mold can be cleaned or removed by people who are not personally mold-sensitive by using ordinary cleaning methods and while wearing appropriate respiratory protection and gloves. People who are particularly mold sensitive should avoid working with or disturbing moldy materials which might cause a reaction or increase their sensitivity. Where large areas of this mold are involved, e.g. in excess of 30 sq.ft., professional cleaning is likely to be needed.

Common Mold-Allergic Responses

• Allergic Rhinitis - affects 20-30% of the population. Other than molds, dust mites and mite fecal pellets, pollen or other plant fragments, and animal dander such as frompets or mice can cause or contribute to this complaint.
• Asthma - affects about 5% of the U.S. population. Several molds commonly found indoors may be a factor in triggering an asthma attack, including the most common genera, Cladosporium sp. and Alternaria sp. Others, Penicillium sp. and Aspergillussp. which I often find indoors in buildings with a history of water or moisture problem are asthma triggers. Various other factors besides moldcan cause or contribute to asthma attacks.
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or extrinsic allergic alveolitis, may be caused by airborne biological particles. Some experts, (Arora, A.S., "Understanding the Health Effects of Mold," vi-vii, Synergist magazine, September 2003) assert that this is a rare problem today but I suspect that it may be a risk where water-cooled air conditioning systems or mis-handled airconditioning condensate are used or present.
• Aspergillosis - affects people who have become sensitized to Aspergillus sp., an inflammation of the respiratory airways.

Pathogenic, Toxic, or "Infectious" Mold

Mold in this group can cause infections in humans, including not only people at particular risk (such as those having a compromised immune system) but also people who are normal and healthy.

In most general terms I often include this group in my "Toxic mold" category below, but properly it is a separate group.

Some classes of pathogenic or infectious mold disease include (alphabetically):

• Blastomycosis
• Cryptococcus (from bird droppings), at primary risk are people with compromised immune system but normal adults can also be infected by inhalation of Cryptococcus neoformans, leading to a form of meningial encephalitis.
• Histoplasmosis (from bat droppings). This is the most commonly occurring infection in this group, caused by inhalation of Histoplasma capsulatum. In people with compromised immune system this can be a particularly dangerous infection.
• More Information below links to our full list of mold related illnesses and complaints.

Toxic mold can present serious health risk to humans or animals. Health effects may be temporary irritation or more serious longer term illness, immunosuppression, neurological disorders, or cancer. Mycotoxins can be produced by some fungal spores in humans or animals. Other fungal species are pathogenic, potentially causing serious illness in healthy individuals and presenting special concern for people who are at extra risk: individuals who are infant, elderly, immune-suppressed, undergoing chemotherapy, suffering from HIV/AIDS, or autoimmune disorders. When a toxic mold has been identified advice from a mold professional is appropriate. The average homeowner should not attempt to clean up this type of contamination.

Attempts to "kill" mold using bleach or fungicidal disinfectants are improper

Attempts to "kill" mold, such as by using bleach, are inappropriate and ineffective since some spores can be dangerous even if they have been made not viable. This is why simply spraying or "bleaching" a moldy surface with a disinfectant is not effective. Actual cleaning or removal of contaminated materials is the appropriate step when fungal-contamination is found indoors.

Effective mold cleanup is possible - Here's What to Do

An effective mold cleanup is entirely possible and often leaves a building cleaner than when it was originally constructed. A clearance test following professional remediation is used to assure that the cleanup has been effective. But unless the original causes of mold growth are corrected (usually leaks and building water entry) the problem is likely to recur. Finally, the object of mold cleanup is not normally to produce a sterile indoor environment. Mold is normal material found in outdoor air and is present virtually everywhere. The cleaning objective is to clean up or "remove" problematic levels of allergenic or toxic mold and to bring the remaining level of common fungal spores in a building down to levels commonly found in buildings which have not suffered leaks, water entry, and problematic mold growth.

Reference: some of the notes from this page are paraphrased from a guest column, "Understanding the Health Effects of Mold," by Dr. Ajit S. Arora, MD, PhD, appearing in AIHA's magazine "The Synergist," September 2003,

See our main website (below) for very important additional information such as mold testing, cleanup and mold remediation guideline resources.

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Harmful mold: Mold Atlas of Indoor Clinical Mold - Medical Health Effects of Specific Molds found in environmental or pathological samples
• Mold Related Illness: Index of Symptoms of Common and Uncommon Illnesses and Complaints caused, or suspected to be caused or aggravated by indoor airborne mold, by physical contact, or other means of mold exposure
• Mold Related Illness, Asthma, Allergies lists more detailed articles
• Online Bibliography of Extensive Mold and IAQ Technical References
• Identifying Filamentous Fungi, A Clinical Laboratory Handbook, Guy St-Germain, Richard Summerbell, Star Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0-89863-177-7
• Fundamentals of Diagnostic Mycology, F. Fisher, N.Cook, W.B. Saunders, 1998, ISBN 0-7216-5006-6
• Atlas of Clinical Fungi, 2nd Ed., G.S. de Hoog, J. Guarro, J. Gene & M.J. Figueras, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2000 ISBN 90-70351-43-9.

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