Mold Library

alternaria- Environix Alternaria
Environix Arthrinium
Saccharomyces- Environix Ascospores
aspergillus- Environix Aspergillus
aureobacidium- Environix Aureobasidium
Environix Basidiospores
bipolaris- Environix Bipolaris/ Drechslera Group
Environix Botrytis
chaetomium- Environix Chaetomium
cladosporium- Environix Cladosporium
Curvularia- Environix Curvularia
Epicoccum- Environix Epicoccum
Environix Fusarium
Environix Myrothecium
Nigrospora- Environix Nigrospora
Environix Penicillium
Pithomyces- Environix Pithomyces
Environix Rusts
Environix Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes
Environix Stachybotrys
Stemphylium- Environix Stemphylium
Environix Torula
Ulocladium- Environix Ulocladium
Environix Zygomycetes
 
 
Aspergillus sp.

What is IAQ?

General Information

200+ species. Very common worldwide, A. fumigatus is one of most common species found.  One of the most commonly isolated filamentous fungi involving invasive infections. 

Where would I normally find this type of mold?  
Ubiquitous, Cosmopolitan.    

What are some of this molds characteristics? 
Grows well on a variety of different organic materials

Where does it grow outside? 
Soil, plant debris, compost piles, stored grain

Where does it grow inside?  
Common on many different substrates.  Water needs vary greatly from species to species. 

Is this "black mold"?
The term black mold (also "toxic black mold") is not scientific but is widely used by the media to usually reference Stachybotrys molds. 

Is it a potential allergen? yes
Some of people may experience hay fever, asthma, Humidifier lung, Malt worker's lung, Compost lung, Wood trimmer's disease, Straw hypersensitivity, Farmer's lung, Oat grain hypersensitivity. 

Other: A. fumigatus: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), allergic fungal sinusitis.)

Does it present any unique human risks? (as pathogen, opportunist or contaminant)*yes
Can affect respiratory system, skin, ear, cornea.  Can be invasive or disseminated.  Presents greatest risk to immunosuppressed individuals.  Could lead to onychomycosis, sinusitis, cerebral aspergillosis, meningitis, endocarditis, myocarditis, pulmonary aspergillosis, osteomyelitis, otomycosis, endophthalmitis, cutaneous aspergillosis, hepatosplenic aspergillosis, as well as Aspergillus fungemia, and disseminated aspergillosis. 

Many species grow at 37°C (body temperature)

Can it produce toxins?**  yes
A. flavus: aflatoxin (carcinogen) B1 & B2, cyclopiazonic acid, kojic acid
A. fumigatus: ergot alkaloids, fumigaclavines, gliotoxin, fumigatoxin, fumigillin, fumitremorgens, helvolic acid, tryptoquivaline tremorgens, verruculogen.
A. niger: malformin C, oxalic acid.
A. ustus: austocystins.
A. versicolor: aspercolorin, averufin, cyclopiazonic acid, sterigmatocystin, versicolorin.

Can it be identified via Air Sampling?  yes
Commonly found, one of the most prevalent types captured.

Can it be identified via Direct Sampling?yes

What are some of its industrial uses? 
Many uses in food production and medical industry.  A. oryzae is used to ferment soybeans to soy sauce. A. terreus produces mevinolin which is able to reduce blood cholesterol; A. niger is used in the bread and beer making industries (enzyme production) and also is able to decompose plastic. A. niger and A. ochraceus are used in cortisone production.

*Other types of disease not listed in this description may also result from exposure.    

**Indicates potential toxin production by given species of this genus.  Not all toxins are produced by all species and the extent is highly dependent on environmental conditions.  List may not be all inclusive due to new discoveries in research.