Table of Contents
What type of mold is Stachybotrys?
Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold. It can grow on material with a high cellulose content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, and paper. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding. Constant moisture is required for its growth.
What is Stachybotrys fungus?
Stachybotrys (/ˌstækiˈbɒtrɪs/) is a genus of molds, hyphomycetes or asexually reproducing, filamentous fungi, now placed in the family Stachybotryaceae. Historically, it was considered closely related to the genus Memnoniella, because the spores are produced in slimy heads rather than in dry chains.
What type of fungi is Stachybotrys chartarum?
Stachybotrys chartarum (also called S. atra and S. alternans) is a greenish-black mold assigned to the fungal division Deuteromycota and its single class Deuteromycetes and is a member of the order Moniliales and the family Dematiaceae (Nelson, 2001).
Is Stachybotrys Memnoniella black mold?
Stachybotrys is well known for its association with outbreaks of pulmonary hemosiderosis among infants in Cleveland during the 1990s. This disease was characterized by coughing up blood and was fatal in 12 cases [8]. The cases received widespread media attention and Stachybotrys was labelled as toxic black mold.
Does Stachybotrys mold cause?
This mold may cause human disease through direct irritation, type 1 hypersensitivity or the production of toxins. A variety of respiratory, dermatological, eye and constitutional symptoms have been associated with heavy and prolonged exposure to S chartarum.
What is a safe level of Stachybotrys?
Currently, there are no accepted guidelines when it comes to acceptable levels of fungal spores, including Stachybotrys spores. Many authors have proposed guidelines but they vary wildly and are largely unsubstantiated [1]. In our experience, anything above 50 spores per cubic metre should be cause for concern.
How do I get rid of mold in my Stachybotrys?
Treat the Area
- For a natural solution for getting rid of black mold, combine one part baking soda with five parts distilled white vinegar and five parts water in a spray bottle.
- Alternatively, you can use a chemical-based mold and mildew remover, all-purpose cleaners, bleach or dish soap.
What are Stachybotrys spores?
Like all other molds, Stachybotrys produces reproductive spores which are dispersed into the surrounding air. These spores are capable of staying in a dormant state for a very long period and will germinate and develop into a mold if they reach an environment with enough moisture and nutrients.
What does Stachybotrys mold smell like?
A musty, earthy smell, like dirt and rotting leaves, is a telltale sign of mold’s presence. Stachybotrys smells especially strong. All molds need food, water and a dark, stagnant environment with temperatures that neither freeze nor boil to grow.
How do you treat Stachybotrys?
Options include:
- avoiding the allergen whenever possible.
- a nasal rinse, to flush mold spores out of the nose.
- antihistamines, to stop a runny nose, sneezing, and itchiness.
- decongestant nasal sprays, a short term remedy for congestion.
- nasal corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation.
- oral decongestants, to reduce congestion.
What are the harmful types of mold?
A few of the most dangerous molds are named: stachybotrys mold or black mold, penicillium, and aspergillus; and they have been associated with respiratory illness, skin rashes, memory problems, and brain damage. Diseases are also associated with toxic mold exposure: kidney cancer, esophagus cancer, leukemia, and liver cancer.
What is the deadliest mold?
4 Common Types of Mold that are Dangerous to Human Health Acremonium. Acremonium comes in orange, pink, grey and white variants and all forms of this mold is toxicogenic and carcinogenic by default. Alternaria. This mold is basically what you see in pictures most of the time because alternaria is the most common form of mold found in the US and in most Chaetomium. Fusarium.
Where does Stachybotrys grow?
Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as strachybotrys atra) is a slow-growing greenish black mold. It grows only on wood, paper and cotton products and can be found in 2 to 5% of homes in the United States.
How to identify types of mold by color?
Identify Alternaria. This is the most common mold that can be found around the house.