| Molds are found outdoors and within homes. If they | | | | most commonly encountered species. It can be |
| are not noticed right away, they may populate quickly | | | | commonly found in the soil, acrylic paint, air, gypsum |
| and affect large areas of your home. In order for you | | | | board, painted wood, dust from mattresses or carpets, |
| to distinguish the species of mold growing in your | | | | wet insulation in cooling units, HVAC fans, textiles, paint, |
| house, you need to obtain a sample of it. | | | | and some food sources. |
| Cladosporium is a kind of mold that affects both | | | | 4. Cladosporium herbarum - This is perhaps the most |
| outside and inside the house. It has around 40 species, | | | | common species of the Cladosporium. It is found on |
| which are found naturally around potted plants. They | | | | textiles, dead woody and herbaceous plants, paper, |
| thrive in the soil and decaying plants. On the other | | | | rubber, and different food sources. This species can |
| hand, Cladosporium may occur as plant pathogen. | | | | be found in indoor areas such as the floor, mattresses, |
| According to studies performed in North America and | | | | carpets, wet walls that are painted with acrylic, |
| Europe, the spores of Cladosporium are circulating in | | | | wallpaper, filters, fans, and HVAC insulation. C. |
| the atmosphere the entire year. However, their | | | | herbarum is considered as the most well-known |
| concentration or population is extremely low during | | | | airborne mold spores. It is capable of developing in |
| winter. They are highly present during summer with | | | | different temperature ranges. As a matter of fact, |
| daily peaks ranging from 2,000 to 50,000 spores per | | | | there have been reports of meat spoilage within cold |
| cubic meters of air. The growth of different | | | | storage. |
| Cladosporium species within homes and other buildings | | | | The Effects of Cladosporium |
| depends on the concentration from outside | | | | Most Cladosporium species are not pathogenic to |
| environments. The concentration may also be | | | | human beings. However, there are isolated cases, |
| influenced by the indoor sources of the growth. | | | | especially to immunocompromised patients. On the |
| Common Cladosporium Species | | | | other hand, Cladosporium species are widely known to |
| Cladosporium species grow as secondary colonizers | | | | possess the capability to stimulate allergic reactions. |
| of walls within indoor environments. They appear after | | | | This is common to individuals that are highly sensitive. |
| the development of primary molds such as Aspergillus | | | | Prolonged and heavy exposure to the airborne spores |
| versicolor, Wallemia sebi, and certain species of | | | | of this mold species can lead to chronic asthma and |
| Penicillium. Cladosporium is commonly found or grows | | | | allergic reactions. There is an observed clinical |
| on wet or damp building materials. These usually | | | | significance to a concentration threshold of 3,000 |
| include acrylic paint, gypsum board, damp wood, and | | | | spores per air cubic meter. |
| wet insulation within cooling units. The most common | | | | The reactions of an individual to the concentration of |
| Cladosporium species include the following: | | | | the airborne spores depend on his or her health |
| 1. Cladosporium macrocarpum - This cosmopolitan | | | | conditions. People with weak immune system easily |
| species is commonly found in soil, dead plants, seeds, | | | | acquire allergic reactions even if the spore |
| and juice concentrates of apples, and indoor air. | | | | concentration is low. Like other mold spores, the |
| 2. Cladosporium cladosporioides - This is another | | | | spores of Cladosporium are very small, microscopic |
| cosmopolitan species that can be commonly found in | | | | even. Because of this, they are easily breathed into the |
| the air, soil, textiles, paint, and meat. | | | | person's alveoli and terminal bronchi. |
| 3. Cladosporium sphaerospermum - This is one of the | | | | |