What is mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that grows on plants and fibers and is most often associated with damp, musty locations such as bathrooms, basements and attics. Mold travels through the air as tiny spores which like to make their home in wet areas, where they will breed. If mold is spotted, it's best to nip it in the bud immediately lest it spread to other areas. It's also a good indication of a moisture problem, which should be dealt with as soon as possible. In addition to its unsightly appearance, mold can present a hazard to one's health. It's an allergen and an irritant. Someone who suffers from household allergies or asthma will no doubt have trouble breathing in homes with mold infestations. Eyes, ears, noses and throats can become irritated as well. To eliminate mold, you'll first need to eliminate the source. Find out how and where moisture is seeping into your home and deal with it accordingly. If the area where mold is found isn't too large, the moisture problem can probably be ...  more

Molds are fungi. Their tiny particles are present everywhere – both indoors and outdoors. Mold is especially common in buildings and homes where conditions are warm and humid – basements and showers, for example. Mold will grow anywhere there is moisture. No one knows exactly how many species of fungi exist, but estimates range from 10,000 to perhaps 300,000 or more. What types of mold are commonly found indoors? Common household molds come in a rainbow palette of colors including red, pink, green, blue-green, brown and black. The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Mucor. The only toxic molds found in homes are two species of black mold, Stachybotrys and Memnoniella. Stachybotrys is the more common toxic variety. How does mold get into my home/business? Molds produce microscopic cells called “spores” which spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions. ...  more

Molds are fungi and occur naturally in the environment. Many different species of mold exist in New Jersey. Molds can be found almost anywhere and can grow on just about any material as long as conditions are favorable. For growth, molds need nutrients such as oxygen and moisture and a material to grow on. Molds in the environment help break down dead materials and convert it back into organic matter to be used again by living organisms. Molds grow by digesting and destroying the material they grow on. Molds grow in colonies. Visible mold growth may take on different forms and colors. Some molds may appear circular in growth while others may grow and spread to cover an area. Molds may appear brown or yellow in color or green and black. The appearance will depend on the species of mold present. Some common molds found indoors include species of Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Pennicillium and Alternaria. Molds reproduce by making spores. These spores become airborne and circulate in the ...  more

Hide Mold and/or mildew are microscopic fungi that are present virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Under the proper conditions, they can grow on a variety of organic materials, including wood products (1, 11). Mold growth requires ample moisture in the form of liquid or high humidity. While there is not universal agreement on the lower threshold of humidity required for mold growth, most literature indicates that the relative humidity needs to be at least 70% to 90% to support mold growth (15). Once growth occurs, molds can spread by production of spores. • How do molds get in the indoor environment, and how do they grow? Answer Hide Molds naturally grow in the outdoor environment. Mold spores may enter a house through open doorways, windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Spores in the air outside also attach themselves to people and animals, making clothing, shoes, bags, and pets convenient vehicles for carrying mold indoors (13). Mold needs oxygen, ...  more

: Molds are microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold is alive, but it is neither a plant nor an animal. Mold is a type of fungus. It is part of a group of living organisms that are very common and serve an important role in the environment. Penicillin, an antibiotic that has saved many lives, is a type of mold, as is yeast. Mold is formed by microscopic creatures belonging to the Fungi Kingdom. When tiny airborne spores of mold burst, and then land on a favorable surface, they proliferate into visible colonies, and find new favorable surfaces on which to further develop. Fungal growth requires oxygen, adequate temperature, nutrients and water. Temperature tolerance: Thermophiles - 35ºC + human pathogens such as Aspergillus Fumigatus Mesophiles - 18ºC to 35ºC Psychrophiles - some fungi grow at 4ºC or below. Nutrients: Paper, wallpaper, wallboard, sugars (fruits, vegetables), fabrics, wood, dust, etc Click here to see what the EPA has to say about ...  more

I would like to know all that I can about mold, I'm not sure where it comes from and how it can grow, wether it can grow in all different colors, or just specific colors.  more

Molds are forms of fungi found all year round both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, molds live in the soil, on plants, and on dead or decaying matter. Another common term for mold is mildew. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions, although it can grow during cold weather. There are thousands of species of mold and they can be any color. Many times, mold can be detected by a musty odor. Most fungi, including molds, produce microscopic cells called “spores” that spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) with the right conditions. All of us are exposed to fungal spores daily in the air we breathe.

a PDF version of this document (115K). Molds have been part of the environment since humans have walked the planet. References to mold can be found in the Bible and scientists estimate molds evolved more than 400 million years ago. Molds are part of the diverse group of organisms called fungi, which include a wide range of species from tiny molds to large mushrooms. Fungi are part of nature's recycling system and play a key role in breaking down organic materials such as plants, leaves, wood fiber and other natural materials. Fungi extract food from organic material, and they grow and reproduce by way of spores. Conservatively, more than 100,000 species of mold exist in the world and at least 1,000 species are common in the U.S. Molds and other fungi are estimated to comprise a quarter of the entire biomass on earth. As such, molds and mold spores are everywhere. The air we breathe is a virtual jungle of fungal spores and we regularly encounter mold spores as part of everyday life. ...  more

Mold is the simplest terminology for the classification of fungi. It is similar to calling all unwanted plants, "weeds". Fungi are neither plant nor animal but are commonly found outdoors in soil, air, and water. They can vary in size, shape, and color and can even grow to become mushrooms. http://www.restcon.com/fyi/fyi_moldproblems.  more

Molds are forms of fungi found year round both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, molds live in the soil, on plants, and on dead or decaying matter. Another common term for mold is mildew. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions, although it can grow during cold weather. There are thousands of species of mold, and they can be any color. Many times, mold can be detected by a musty odor. Most fungi, including molds, produce microscopic cells called “spores” that spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) with the right conditions. All of us are exposed to fungal spores daily in the air we breathe.