The scientific naming of living things including moulds follows a binomial (i.e. two name) system proposed by Carl Linnaeus (a Swedish biologist) in 1758. The system overcomes the problem of different scientists calling the same organism by different names depending on their language or country of origin.

Thus each mould has two names a "generic" or "genus (plural genera)" name, and a "specific" or species name. For example, for Cladosporium cladosporioides, “Cladosporium” is the genus name and “cladosporioides” is the species name. There are other moulds with “Cladosporium” as their genus name, e.g., Cladosporium herbarum and Cladosporium sphaerospermum. Genus name, therefore, represents a “group” while the species name represents the “individual” mould. The genus name always starts with a capital letter and the specific name in a lower case. The name is either italicized or underlined. The species name MUST always be used in combination with the genus name to avoid confusion in situations where a species name may be shared by different genera.

If a mould is not identified to “species” level, then the generic (genus) name is followed by the word “species” but usually abbreviated as “sp” e.g., Aspergillus sp for a single species of Aspergillus and Aspergillus spp for many species of Aspergillus.



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Do you have a question on indoor mould or bacteria? If so, visit http://www.moldbacteria.com and if you cannot get the information you need send us your question at http://www.moldbacteria.com/questionform.html and we shall answer your question within 48 hours.

MBL is now offering one–day training seminars on how to recognize indoor mould, how to develop effective sampling strategies, how to interpret laboratory results and how to perform effective mould remediation/abatement. If you have been considering attending a similar course, do not delay to register as we have limited spaces left!

Three Reasons Why You Should Attend

• The course equips you to fully deal with all aspects of indoor mould sampling and interpreting laboratory reports
• You will have a chance to discuss and get possible solutions to some of the difficult situations or questions you encounter while doing mould investigations.
• You will have an opportunity to learn from others experience.

Who Can Benefit From Indoor Mould
Training Seminars

• Industrial hygienists.
• Environmental consultants.
• Home Inspectors.
• General contractors.
• Cleaning and restoration contractors.
• Property managers.
• Insurance, financial, and legal professionals who deal with mould issues.
• Other professionals or anyone interested in increasing their knowledge or developing their decision-making skills related to indoor mould.

What Topics Will Be Covered In The Mould Training Seminar?

• An Overview of Various Types of Moulds.
• What is mould and what makes it grow?
• Which moulds are more prevalent in outdoor environment?
• Which moulds are more prevalent in indoor environment?
• What health effects are associated with indoor mould growth?


• How to Recognize Indoor Mould Growth.
• Factors favouring mould growth.
• Signs of mould growth.
• Conducting a visual inspection and categorizing the extent of the mould contamination.


• How to Develop Effective Sampling Strategies.
• Sampling objectives.
• When to collect samples, which ones and where to collect them.
• Air samples: viable and non-viable.
• Bulk samples.
• Swab samples.
• Tape lift samples.
• Dust samples.


• How to Interpret Laboratory Results.
• Air samples: viable and non-viable.
• Bulk samples.
• Swab samples.
• Tape lift samples.
• Dust samples.


• How to Perform Effective Mould Remediation.


• Open Discussions.
• Difficult field experiences.

Registration and Other Information

Course Date: September 13, 2005
Registration: 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Course Duration: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Course Location: 1020 Brevik Place, Unit 1A,
Mississauga, Ontario
L4W 4N7.
To get directions use Mapquest or call (905)290-9101; Toll Free: 1-866-813-0648.

Register today by phone at (905)290-9101 or toll free 1-866-813-0648. You can also register online at Course Registration.


If you know others who may be interested in receiving this invitation, please forward it to them. We look forward to seeing you there!


Course Fee

Please call for the fee schedule. Registration fees must be paid at least two weeks before course date. Payment can be made by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or by cheque. Please make cheques payable to Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc.

Information About Mould and Bacteria

Get more information about indoor mould and bacteria at http://www.moldbacteria.com/
Click Mould & Bacteria Reviews Newsletter to become a subscriber of our FREE newsletter.

One of our web visitors sent us the following question. “In my home in the Netherlands a large concentration of Aspergillus niger and Rhodotorula was detected. A number of weeks ago my doctor thought I had a heart failure and was delivered to the hospital.
When I am in my home I do not feel good. Now I moved into my daughters. In the house I was sweating like I was having sweat attacks. I was coughing constantly. Could these species cause serious health problems???? And what can I do??? I feel better when I am out of the house”.


Aspergillus niger is one of the Aspergillus species associated with a disease condition called aspergillosis. The primary causes of aspergillosis are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. There are three main types of aspergillosis: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), pulmonary aspergilloma and invasive aspergillosis. Aspergillus niger may cause ABPA.


Rhodotorula is a yeast fungus. It is common in air and soil. It may infect individuals with suppressed immunity such as those infected with the AIDs virus or have undergone certain medical treatments. It has 3 known species; Rhodotorula glutinis, Rhodotorula minuta, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa with the former being the most common.


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Mould growth in indoor environment is a fact of life since mould is everywhere. The only thing we can do is to manage its growth by controlling the conditions that favour mould growth. Conditions that favour mould growth are:

• Water
• Nutrients
• Suitable temperature.

Among these 3 factors, water would be the easiest for us control. By maintaining indoor relative humidity at between 30-60% we can drastically reduce mould growth. Recent study has also shown that regular vacuum cleaning reduces the spore load on surfaces. Regular visual inspection of the building would help to identify potential mould problems and have them fixed.

We received a question from one of our website visitors. The question was “What can you tell me about mould growing in the lungs?? I have a friend who was first thought to have lung cancer but it has been confirmed that she has mould growing in her lungs faster than the lungs can repair themselves. Her symptoms are emphasemic like - but xrays say no. Can you offer any advice?”

Which mould could this one be? Some species of Aspergillus, primarily Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus cause a lung disease condition called Aspergillosis. There are three forms of aspergillosis namely allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), pulmonary aspergilloma and invasive aspergillosis. ABPA occurs in individuals with Type 1 hypersensitivity to Aspergillus spp. Pulmonary aspergilloma (also known as mycetoma or fungus ball) occurs in healthy individuals but requires a pre-existing cystic lung space in which to grow. Invasive aspergillosis occurs in severely immune-suppressed individuals.


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Botrytis cinerea is one of the leaf (also called phylloplane) moulds and is also soilborne. It is commonly found in outdoor air. Its occurrence indoors is not very common but it has been isolated from floor, carpet, and mattress dust.

Botrytis cinerea causes field diseases and storage rots of most vegetables and flowers. Botrytis cinerea is used in the wine industry. Grapes infected with Botrytis (referred to as "noble rot") are used in the production of high quality sweet wines such as the Sauternes. The mould shrivels the fruit and thus concentrates the sugars within.

Botrytis cinerea has not been documented as a health hazard.



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Learn How To: Recognize Indoor Mould Take Mould Samples Interpret Laboratory Reports Control and Remediate Mould Contamination.

See the details at http://www.moldbacteria.com/training.html

Health officials in Manitoba and northwest Ontario are warning cottagers to educate themselves about blastomycosis, a rare, but potentially deadly fungal disease (see whole CBC news article at http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=mb_blasto20050812). But what is blastomycosis? Blastomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. Blastomyces dermatitidis is a biosafety level 3 organism, meaning that it may cause severe human disease and it may present a risk of spreading to the community, but there are usually effective preventive measures or treatment available. The fungus is endemic to many areas of the world including Eastern USA, Canada, South America and Africa. The disease symptoms may include flu, pneumonia, and skin infection.




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I came across the article “No, Seriously. Save the Bananas” published in the New York Times (August 13, 2005) by Paul B. Brown. The article is on how the banana (variety Cavendish) was being wiped out by a fungus. This article reminded me of some research on this banana disease I conducted in East Africa in collaboration with scientists from CABI BioScience and University of Kent, UK in the late 1990s. The disease is commonly known as panama disease or fusarium wilt of banana. As the latter name suggests, the disease is caused by a special form of Fusarium oxysporum (Fusarium oxysporum special form cubense).

This fungus can be devastating to susceptible varieties of bananas. We witnessed whole “plantations” wiped out by this disease, causing a lot of suffering to poor farmers who depend on this crop for their livelihood. The fungus appears to have a liking for sweet varieties of bananas, i.e., varieties used for fruit or dessert. It goes through the roots and into the vascular bundles clogging them and hence restricting movement of water and nutrients. This results into yellowing and wilting of leaves and subsequently death of the whole banana plant. One striking phenomena about this fungus is that some strains (referred to as races) only attack specific cultivars of the sweet bananas and not others. However, the Cavendish is attacked by a strain recently discovered strain referred to as “race 4”, which is capable of attacking not only the Cavendish but also other cultivars susceptible to other races.

No, seriously, we need to save the banana from moulds.






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Aspergillus niger has a worldwide distribution and is commonly found on decaying vegetation, stored grains such as rice, and soil. In indoor environment, Aspergillus niger is isolated from floor, carpet and mattress dust, acrylic paint, leather, HVAC filters and fans, and potted plant soil. It has been associated with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis particularly in immuno-compromised people. It has also been reported to cause ear and nose infections.

Aspergillus niger has a number of industrial uses including production of citric acid. Respiratory problems among workers in citric acid factories have been attributed to inhalation of high concentrations of spores of this mould.

Aspergillus niger also produces toxic metabolites such as malformin C.



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Aureobasidium pullulans is a spoilage organism, especially a deteriogenic agent of painted surfaces. It is a commonly encountered species in wet buildings. Aureobasidium pullulans is both a soil and leaf (phylloplane) fungus. In indoor environment, it is very common on wet wood and window frames, floor, carpet, and mattress dust, damp walls, and humidifier water. It is occasionally found on a wide range of stored foodstuffs and cereals (such as wheat, barley and oats). Sometimes it occurs on meat in cold stores as it can grow at quite low temperatures.

Aureobasidium pullulans is associated with occupational disease in wood processing. It has also been isolated from human skin and nails.

Strains of Aureobasidium pullulans are used in various standard tests for resistance to microbial degradation.



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Biocides are generally not recommended in control of indoor mould growth or in mould remediation (removal) projects. Read the details in our current newsletter at http://www.moldbacteria.com/newsletter.html

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc. provides laboratory testing for mould and bacteria. Mould testing services include analysis of non-viable air samples (Air-O-Cell, Micro 5, cyclex D, LARO-100, pcm cassettes), viable air samples (RCS, Andersen, etc), direct microscopic and culture analyses of bulk samples (drywall, wallpaper, pieces of carpets, insulation material, dust, wood and other matrices), lift tape and swab or wipe samples. Bacteria analyses include Gram Staining and Enumeration of Culturable Bacteria, Total Coliform / E. coli (Presence/Absence), Total Coliform / E. coli (MPN), Total Coliform (membrane filter), Fecal Coliform (membrane filter), Standard Heterotrophic Plate Count and Legionella detection.

Turnaround time for all culture analyses is 10-14 days. Non-culture analyses takes 2-5 days for regular service and 24 hours for rush service. Please call if you need sampling information or a list of our prices. Download our Chain of Custody (Analysis Request Form).

We serve:

• Certified Mould Remediators (CMR) and Certified Mould Inspectors (CMI)
• Environmental engineering and construction firms
• Industrial and occupational health consulting firms
• Building demolition/restoration contractors
• Homeowners and commercial building managers
• Hospitals/health care facilities, schools, banks, libraries, museums
• Insurance, real estate and legal professionals involved in mould and bacteria issues
• Home inspectors.

How are we different from others? At Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc.:

• We provide prompt, accurate testing. We understand delayed decisions while the client awaits laboratory results cost our clients money.
• We consult with the client on the most appropriate test to use. Inappropriate test methods cost the client more money and give results that are difficult to interpret and subsequently a waste of resources. In most cases, simple tests that cost less are good enough and the results are easy to interpret.
• Samples are analysed by experts in the field of microbiology.
• Our reports do not just give mould names that are difficult to understand. We go a step further by:
• Assisting the client with data interpretation to help them draw informed conclusions.


• We provide a final report on completion of each test, containing the full results along with a clear explanation of the results and any appropriate comments on whether the identified moulds are known to present health risks.


• We provide telephone or email follow up for every report to make sure the report is thoroughly understood by the client.
• We guarantee complete confidentiality.
• We provide expert microbiological advice and after-sales service.
  

Get help to interpret laboratory reports for free! Send the reports or questions to our Help Desk or fill the Questions Form and submit for priority attention. Your report will be interpreted within 48-72 hours. Complete confidentiality is guaranteed.

Click here for instructions on how to collect and send samples for mould confirmation or identification or visit our website at http://www.moldbacteria.com.
For immediate assistance call (905)290-9101.

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc. is currently offering one-day training seminars on how to recognize mould, develop effective sampling strategies and interpret laboratory reports. For details, please visit their website at http://www.moldbacteria.com/training.html.

One of the visitors to our website sent us these questions/observations. “Eating moldy bread is discouraged. Where can I find the facts that prove this? Are there molds that grow on bread that are harmless? Some of my patients that survived food shortages in The UK during World War II by eating moldy bread and other foods insist that such fears about mold are unfounded”.

My comments/answers are that eating mouldy food is risky. The reason is that one cannot tell which moulds or even bacteria are growing on such food. While some moulds or even bacteria may not harm the person who eats this kind of food, some other moulds and bacteria are known to produce very toxic metabolites. However, even the toxin producers require certain conditions to produce the toxins. Also, some people are more resistant to mould poisoning than others. Recently, over 100 people died in one of the African countries after consuming grains (maize) contaminated by Aspergillus flavus, a mould that produces aflatoxin.

To conclude, not all moulds are dangerous. In fact a number of moulds are used in food processing or processed as food. Eating food contaminated by toxin producing moulds such as Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp is dangerous. Since we cannot tell (without testing) whether the food is contaminated with a toxin producing mould and whether the mould has secreted toxins into the food, it is safe to treat such food as dangerous.


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Ulocladium is a widely distributed mould commonly found in soil and decaying plants. It has also been isolated from paper, textiles, dung, emulsion paint, grasses, fibres and wood. In indoor environment, Ulocladium has been found on painted surfaces, damp wall finished with wallpaper or water based emulsion paint; floor and mattress dust.

Ulocladium has two known species; Ulocladium chartarum and Ulocladium botrytis. Ulocladium chartarum is the species most commonly found in indoor environment. Presence of Ulocladium in indoor environment together with other moulds such as Stachybotrys, Fusarium and Chaetomium is an indication of water damage.

Ulocladium has been reported to cause Type I (hay fever) allergy. There have been cases of Ulocladium chartarum causing skin surface and deep skin infections in immuno-suppressed patients. Ulocladium botrytis has no proven pathogenicity.



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Mould associated illnesses have been explained by some experts as hysteria, describing the mould situation as a hoax that begin in the 1970’s following several cases of legionellosis (Legionnaires' Disease) caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. The media, including the internet have been blamed for highlighting claims of building related illnesses and hence fanning the hysteria. There might be some truth in this which, however, does not mean mould is harmless.

While it is true, some of the illnesses cannot be attributed to mould exposure for lack of scientific data or even by any logical reasoning, there is enough evidence, though in some cases circumstantial to support claims of mould related illnesses. Reactions of human beings from mould exposure differ from one individual to another. While majority of the population may not have problems with common indoor moulds, a certain percentage will react and show symptoms of mould related illnesses when exposed to mould.

As someone who identifies moulds, I have found myself developing an instant running nose when I inhale spores and odours of certain strains of Penicillium spp.

In my opinion, the extremists (those who attribute any imaginable illness to indoor mould exposure and those who believe mould has nothing to do with any building related illness) have not helped the public to understand the truth about mould.



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Paecilomyces species are common environmental moulds. They are widespread in soils, composts, and food products. In indoor environment, Paecilomyces species have been isolated from air, damp walls, wet plaster work, carpet dust and HVAC fans.

Paecilomyces species are rarely associated with human infections but some species such as Paecilomyces variotii, Paecilomyces marquandii and Paecilomyces lilacinus are emerging as causative agents of mycoses in immuno-compromised patients.

Several species of Paecilomyces are important as agents of biological control. These include:

1. Paecilomyces carneus
   Paecilomyces carneus is found on a wide range of material, and especially from soil. It is sometimes isolated from insects, though it appears to be a weak insect pathogen. Some isolates produce several metabolites of the antibiotic group cephalosporins.
2. Paecilomyces farinosus
   Paecilomyces farinosus is also commonly isolated from soil. It is a well-known insect pathogen, and there has been interest in its use as an agent of biological control.
3. Paecilomyces fumosoroseus
   Paecilomyces fumosoroseus has been isolated from soil, butter and gelatine. It is an insect parasite, causing economic damage to silkwork production in eastern Asia.
4. Paecilomyces lilacinus
   Paecilomyces lilacinus is most commonly encountered in isolations from soil but has been found on insects on numerous occasions. It has also been found on various organic substrates including plastic contact lenses, synthetic rubber and polyurethane, and is used in fungus resistance testing. Paecilomyces lilacinus has been implicated as a human and animal pathogen.

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