Most types of mold that we are exposed to every day are not hazardous to healthy individuals. However, some people are more sensitive to mold than others, especially people with allergies, and/or asthma.

Mold can trigger asthma attacks so those people who suffer from asthma are more at risk when exposed to mold spores in the environment. Certain types of molds can produce toxins, called mycotoxins, that the mold uses to inhibit or prevent the growth of other organisms.

Mycotoxins can be found in both living and dead mold spores, so they can continue to cause problems even if the surface area containing the mold has been cleaned. Exposure to mycotoxins may present a greater hazard than that of allergenic or irritating molds.

Mold reports are a common part of weather broadcasts on daily news programs, alerting people who are sensitive to restrict their exposure to outdoor mold spores.

When people are talking about toxic mold, they are talking about Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra) pronounced stack-ee-bought-riss.

It is a type of mold that is blackish or greenish black in appearance. Not all mold that is black is Stachybotrys. The black mold found on bathroom tiles is not Stachybotrys. Stachybotrys may occur when ther has been excessive long-term water damage. Health effects of exposure to this mold are similar to exposure of other molds but may include inability to concentrate and fatigue. Usually these symtoms dissapear after the contamination is removed.

• Watery or itchy eyes
• Sore Throat
• Stuffed up nose
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Dizziness
• Skin irritations or rashes
• Headaches
• Fatigue

Extension Publications

Molds in Your Home — North Dakota State University AE1179

Other Resources

EPA Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals (EPA402-R-94-007)
Lists signs and symptoms from exposure of pollutants. A diagnostic checklist and reference summary.

EPA Biological Pollutants in Your Home EPA-402-F-90-102
Health effects of biological pollutants, and how to control growth and build up.

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
The National Allergy Bureau is the section of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology that is responsible for reporting current pollen and mold spore levels to the public.

Ozone Generators That Are Sold As Air Cleaners
What is ozone and how is it harmful. Are ozone generators effective in controlling in door air pollution.

Purdue News Release

Health Effects of Mold

Purdue Fact Sheet

Mold in Your Home