Molds are commonly found in buildings and homes. They grow in damp or wet places such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Molds grow well on organic materials such as paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, […]
How to Distinguish Mold Growth from Stains & Other Common Discolorations
The first step in any mold investigation is a visual inspection of the building and documentation of the area(s) covered by visible mold growth. This requires the ability to recognize mold growth as opposed to dirt, stains or other discolorations. mold investigators sometimes come across discolorations or stains that they suspect to be mold growth, only […]
Aspergillus/Penicillium and Unidentified Spores: What Should You Know?
Indoor air sampling for mould spores may be conducted to help in evaluating the air quality after occupants’ complaints of ill health, to determine the effectiveness of remediation procedures, to assess health hazards or to proactively monitor indoor air quality. Mould spores enter a building from outdoors through: air intakes for the heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning system (HVAC), doors […]
Indoor Molds that Produce Known Mycotoxins on Building Materials
This article discusses common indoor molds that produce mycotoxins and the materials on which they are commonly found. The general public thinks that black indoor molds are toxigenic because of the publicity that Stachybotrys chartarum (a.k.a Stachybotrys atra in the old literature), a black mold, received in the recent years. However, the colour of the indoor […]
Penicillium
Penicillium species: the mould that saved millions of lives Penicillium is a group (Genus) of moulds found everywhere world-wide. It is the mould that saved millions of lives by producing the first ever known modern antibiotic, the penicillin. The discovery of penicillin from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum (then known as Penicillium notatum) by Sir Alexander Fleming […]