What Is Cladosporium and Is It Dangerous to Your Health?
Cladosporium is a common mold that may affect your health. It can cause allergies and asthma in some people. In very rare cases, it can cause infections. Most species of Cladosporium aren’t dangerous to humans.
Cladosporium can grow both indoors and outdoors. Spores from the mold can be airborne, which is also how the mold spreads.
This type of mold is more common in areas with humidity, moisture, and water damage.
Reactions to Cladosporium are rare, and are usually an allergic response, but they can be potentially dangerous, causing a fungal infection in the lungs.
It can be difficult to identify Cladosporium in your home without professional help. There are over 500 species of Cladosporium. Many other types of mold can also grow in your home. Cladosporium may appear as brown, green, or black spots.
Not all black mold is the same
Not all black mold is harmful, but there is a toxic mold often found in moist areas like attics. This mold is called Stachybotrys chartarum, and is often found in attics or areas that have consistent moisture. The reason this mold is so dangerous is that it releases mycotoxins that do damage when inhaled. This type of black mold is much darker black to green. The best choice is to find a professional to help you identify if you are dealing with Cladosporium or something else.
Cladosporium is commonly found in the home on:
- carpets
- wallpaper
- window sills
- fabrics
- walls
- wood surfaces
- painted surfaces
- cabinets
- floors
- HVAC vent covers and grills
- paper
Cladosporium is more likely to grow in:
- wet or damp areas
- bathrooms
- basements
- areas near heating and cooling appliances
- attics
You may not be able to identify the mold on your own. Consider hiring a professional mold tester or company to inspect your home, as there are more dangerous black molds than cladosporium.
They can identify the type of mold in your home and help you remove it. Another option is to send mold samples to a professional laboratory for testing.
A professional mold tester can find mold you may not have seen.