CANADIAN NATIONAL TOXIC MOLD CENTRE

Stachybotrys chartarum:  The Toxic Indoor Mold

Stachybotrys - growing on a piece of water damaged wall

Definition:

Stachybotrys chartarum (obsolete: Stachybotrys alternans and Stachybotrys atra) is a greenish-black mold that is commonly found outdoors, however in the past decade it has become increasingly found indoors, throughout homes, schools, business buildings, court houses and the list goes on.. A Czech mycologist named August Carlo Joseph Corda in 1837 had apparently described this mold growing on the wall of a house where there was considerable moisture.

 

Stachybotrys growing on outside wall underneath drywall and insulation

 

Aspergillus

Some strains of A. niger have been reported to produce potent mycotoxins.  Pietro Antonia Micheli who was an Italian priest and biolgoist first documented Aspergillus in 1729.

Aspergillus growing on a basement beam

 

Penicillium

Cladosporium Penicillium
 growing on ceilings and walls