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
 
 
Stachybotrys sp.

What is IAQ?

General Information

15+ species. Ubiquitous, Cosmopolitan.

What are some of this molds characteristics?
Grows well on wet general cellulose surfaces but is slow

Where does it grow outside?
Often found growing on Soil, decaying plant substrates, decomposing cellulose (hay, straw), leaf litter, and seeds. Growth not influenced by soil pH or copper; growth enhanced by manure.

Where does it grow inside?
Grows well indoors on wet general cellulose surfaces such as wallboard, jute, wicker, straw baskets.  

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
Not well studied.  Type I allergies reported

Does it present any unique human risks? (as pathogen, opportunist or contaminant)* yes
Rare cases reported, none of which have been directly linked to stachybotrys.

Can it produce toxins?** yes
Known as one of the most toxigenic species of mold:  Macrocyclic trichothecenes: verrucarin J, roridin E, satratoxin F, G & H, sporidesmin G, trichoverrol; cyclosporins, stachybotryolactone.

Stachybotrys mycotoxicosis: human toxicosis has been described; may be characterized by dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, itching or burning sensation in mouth, throat, nasal passages and eyes. The best described toxicoses are from domestic animals that have eaten contaminated hay and straw or inhaled infected material from contaminated bedding.

Can it be identified via Air Sampling? yes
May be confused with carbon fragments, memnoniella or gliomastix.   

Can it be identified via Direct Sampling? yes
Distinctive.  Direct samples are preferred over culturable methods because Stachybotrys sometimes will not grow in culture.

OTHER:

What are some of its industrial uses?
Unknown.

*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.