Mold Library

alternaria- Environix Alternaria
Environix Arthrinium
Saccharomyces- Environix Ascospores
aspergillus- Environix Aspergillus
aureobacidium- Environix Aureobasidium
Environix Basidiospores
bipolaris- Environix Bipolaris/ Drechslera Group
Environix Botrytis
chaetomium- Environix Chaetomium
cladosporium- Environix Cladosporium
Curvularia- Environix Curvularia
Epicoccum- Environix Epicoccum
Environix Fusarium
Environix Myrothecium
Nigrospora- Environix Nigrospora
Environix Penicillium
Pithomyces- Environix Pithomyces
Environix Rusts
Environix Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes
Environix Stachybotrys
Stemphylium- Environix Stemphylium
Environix Torula
Ulocladium- Environix Ulocladium
Environix Zygomycetes
 
 
Fusarium sp.

What is IAQ?

General Information

70+ species. Ubiquitous, cosmopolitan.

What are some of this molds characteristics?
Grows well on general fungal media although sporulation in many species requires specialized media.

Where does it grow outside?
Often found growing on soil, also acts in a saprophytic or parasitic manner on plants. Many species are important plant pathogens.

Where does it grow inside?
Occasionally found on a variety of substrates. Fusarium requires very wet conditions.

Is this "black mold"?
The term black mold (also "toxic black mold") is not scientific but is widely used by the media to usually reference Stachybotrys molds. 

Is it a potential allergen? yes
Some people may experience hay fever and or asthma. 

Does it present any unique human risks? (as pathogen, opportunist or contaminant)* 
Causes keratitis, endophthalmitis, onychomycosis, mycetoma, and disseminated infection in immunocompromised patients; infections in burn victims, and systemic opportunistic infections in severely disabled hosts.

Can it produce toxins?** yes
Can produce trichothecenes (type B); T-2 toxin; zearalenone (F-2 toxin), vomitoxin, deoxynivalenol, and fumonisin. Zearalenone is not acutely toxic, and actually may have positive effects with controlled ingestion.

Can it be identified via Air Sampling? yes
The macroconidia are distinctive and recognizable on spore trap slides. The microconidia are less distinctive and would most probably be identified as "other colorless."

Can it be identified via Direct Sampling? yes
Macroconidia are distinctive and often are readily identifiable on tape lifts. However, microconidia of Fusarium may be confused with Acremonium.

OTHER:

What are some of its industrial uses?
None at this time. 

*Other types of disease not listed in this description may also result from exposure. 

**Indicates potential toxin production by given species of this genus. Not all toxins are produced by all species and the extent is highly dependent on environmental conditions. List may not be all inclusive due to new discoveries in research.