THESE ORGANISMS ARE STRONG INDICATORS OF WATER DAMAGE
Mould Types - Indoor Water Damage Related
Chaetomium
Water damage indicating mould that can be found on damp building materials such as drywall, paper, and wood. Some species can produce mycotoxins.
Fusarium
A prevalent plant pathogen that may also affect damp building materials and indoor humidifiers. Additional indoor sources could include mouldy fruits. Certain species have the potential to produce mycotoxins.
Aspergillus/Penicillium chains
Aspergillus/Penicillium spores appearing in attached chains can be indication of nearby fungal growth. Typically, airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium spores from the outdoors will separate and appear on air samples as individual spores.
Clado-Sphaerospermum
A distinct Cladosporium species which can be easily identified visually and prefers moist environments, making it effective for detecting indoor water damage.
Gliomastix
A rare mould sometimes found in water-damaged building materials. Toxicity and health effects on humans are currently unclear.
Scopulariopsis
A soil fungus that occurs naturally and can develop on water-damaged building materials. Scopulariopsis shares a high water activity level with Stachybotrys.
Ulocladium
Water damage indicating mould, sometimes found in outdoor air samples as well. Spores could be mistaken for Alternaria or Pithomyces. This mould type is known as significant allergen.
Wallemia
Wallemia has been largely recognized as a spoilage fungus of dried foods, salted fish and other salty or sweet foods. Nevertheless, this fungus can also be prevalent in household dust and on exposed wood.
Stachybotrys
A sticky, pigmented spore that can grow on cellulose containing building materials such as paper, plasterboard paper and wood. Due to the sticky nature of these spores, hidden, undisturbed growth may be difficult to detect with routine air sampling. Stachybotrys is the mould type often referred to as "toxic black mould" in the media. However the specific health effects from exposure to Stachybotrys has not been established and is still the subject of ongoing scientific research. Some species can produce mycotoxins and these can have varying affects on individuals ranging from allergies to headaches and brain fog.
THE PRESENCE OF THESE ORGANISMS DOES NOT ALWAYS INDICATE WATER DAMAGE
Mould Types - Indoor/Outdoor
Alternaria-like
A prevalent outdoor mold that may also be found growing on moist building materials. Can act as an opportunistic human pathogen, and certain species may produce mycotoxins.
Aspergillus/Penicillium
Aspergillus/Penicillium are a group of spores that are reported together as they look similar they cannot be easily seperated. In non-cultured samples, a more specific identification can not be made without additional structures such as condiaphores. Aspergillus and Penicillium are some of the most common outdoor moulds, but can also be found growing on water damaged building materials indoors. Some species may also grow in properties with chronic humidity issues. Some species may produce mycotoxins. Some species are known as potential human pathogens.
Cladosporium
One of the most widespread moulds worldwide, often seen outdoors but also present in high levels in water damaged structures.
USUALLY FOUND OUTDOORS THESE MOULDS DO NOT READILY GROW INDOORS
Mould Types - Mainly Outdoor
Arthrinium
Typically an outdoor mould, occasionally found on damp cellulose containing building materials, such as plasterboard and wallpaper.
Ascospore
The Ascospore group represents a very large group of fungal spores that are produced by Ascomycota, otherwise known as Sac fungi. This group is generally represented by unimportant spore types that most likely originate from the outdoors. Spores from specific Ascomycota of note, such as Chaetomium, are reported separately and are not included in this report group.
Basidiospore
The Basidiospore group represents the group of spores produced by Basidiomycota. Basidiomycota includes many macrofungi such as mushrooms, puffballs, brackets, and more. Basidiospores found indoors typically originate from the outdoor environment.
Bipolaris
One of the most common fungal allergenic agents. Plant pathogen and soil based fungi. Bipolaris is reported cause pathogenic reactions in humans.
Bisporia
Mitosporic fungi that are occasionally detected on damp wood items.
Botrytis
Plant pathogen found commonly on fruit.
Brachysporium-like
Fungi found outdoors in soil and decaying wood.
Cercospora
Mitosporic fungi, a plant pathogen, spreads through wind and thrives in high numbers within agricultural regions.
Chaetoconis
This is a plant pathogen.
Curvularia
An mainly outdoor fungi that can sometimes be found in water damaged fabrics.
Epicoccum
Frequently found in outdoor air, rare growth on indoor building materials. Young spores might be mistaken for Stemphylium, Alternaria, Pithomyces, or Ulocladium
Exosporium
A plant pathogen which can picked up by our mould tests.
Fusicladium
This is mainly an agricultural pathogen which can be picked up by our mould testing.