What are the most common molds found in buildings?
A. Some of the most common molds found in buildings are: Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Pennicillium, and Alternaria. All of these are considered toxic. Other toxic molds that are frequently found are Stachybotrys, Fusarium, Trichoderma, and these molds produce mycotoxins that are easily absorbed into the skin, intestinal lining, airways, and lungs. Other toxic molds include Coccidioides, Histoplasma, Blastomyces, and Memnoniella. It is important to realize that most molds have not yet been studied for toxicity, and not all species in a genus are toxic. According to Dr. Harriet Ammann senior toxicologist for the Washington State Health Department, even though not all species of mold are toxigenic, it is prudent to assume that when these organisms are found in excess indoors, that they are all treated as toxigenic.
