Different Types Of Cladosporium Mold
Cladosporium mold is found in soil, as a plant pathogen and on rotting plant material. There are around 40 different species of this mold and the spores are found outdoors in the environment, throughout the year. In the spring and early summer months, the spores of this mold peak but in the winter months the concentrations are extremely lower. Although cladosporium mold is not usually harmful, if a person is exposed to high concentrations of mold spores they can become ill with allergies or asthma. This can happen if the indoor air is contaminated.
The home can be contaminated by the outdoor air and the spores can penetrate the walls. Cladosporium mold can be seen on the exterior of a home or any other building material, if it is moist for a long period of time. It collects on materials within the home. They include wallpaper, painted walls, mattress dust and in the carpeting. There are four different kinds of cladosporium mold.
Cladosporium macrocarpum is found on dead organic matter and it is present in the air. It can be frequently found on woody types of plants, soil and straw. It can also be found on certain foods that include apple juice concentrate and some types of seeds. This is perhaps the easiest way that is transported into the home and once it is there, it will also be present in the air.
Cladosporium cladosporioides is easy to identify within the home because it leaves dark colored patches on any wall that can absorb water. This includes bathrooms, around the toilet or shower stall or around window frames where water can collect. This is possibly the most commonly found mold within the home and it is known to cause allergies. But this isn’t the case for everyone. Nevertheless, it is recommended that anyone that notices these dark spots should clean the areas with a strong cleaner like bleach, immediately.
A type of cladosporium mold that causes illness is cladosporium herbarum. It is naturally found on rubber, paper, dead and decaying plants and in food stuffs. When these items are brought into the home, the spores become airborne. During the hot summer months this type of mold increases in spore count and this is primarily when the most people become ill because of it. Even in cooler temperatures, it has been linked to meat spoilage and it can be found in carpets, on wallpaper or painted walls, on ceiling fans and on heat or air filters.
Cladosporium sphaerospermum can cause skin lesions, infections in the nail bed and even corneal ulcers in the eyes, when the mold spores are peaking. People who are sensitive to this type of mold can have been known to have severe allergic reactions. It is a leaf mold that is commonly seen in foods, textiles and on painted walls. But it can also be found on wet materials that include carpeting, acrylic and in insulation. Indoors cooling systems can also carry this mold, if there is any kind of water drainage that flows from the unit.
Since all of these types of molds can cause illness, you should eliminate your risks for mold spore exposure. Try to keep sinks and the bathtub dry when they are not in use and remove any dark stains that can be seen in damp areas. Avoid bringing in wild plants from the outdoors, especially if parts of them are decaying. Frequently add bleach to any standing water like the toilet or heavily used sinks to stop the growth of mold. All of these things will help to improve the air quality within the home.