Name

Where Found

Symptoms Produced

Alternaria alternata

Window sills, walls, carpets, textiles

Produces a mycotoxin, tenuazonic acid and other toxic metabolites. Cause of extrinsic asthma, may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Asperfillus fumigatus

House dust, potting soil

Human pathogen. Affects those immune compromised. Causes both invasive and allergic aspergillosis (infection of tissues – may effect lungs, ear canal, skin or mucus membrane. Symptoms include weight loss, fever, chills and blood in urine

Aspergillus versicolor

Wood, wallpaper glue

Produces sterigmatocystin mycotoxin and cyclopiaxonic acid. Can cause diarrhea and upset stomach, also necrosis (progressive cell death) of kidney and liver.

Aureobasidium pullulans

On caulk and paint in wet rooms like bath and kitchen

Appears as dark spots, This is a first wave fungi that helps break down Cell walls so fungi like Cladosporium herbarum can set about the Decomposition process.

Aureobasidium pullulans

Wet kitchens, baths and window frames; often in the silicon kit used to seal bathtubs. Can penetrate paint.

Isolated cases of infections on skin and nails according to Microfungi.

Chaetomium sp

Paper, sheetrock, cellulose

Destructive to paper and plastics. Can produce Acremonium like state. Reported allergenic

Cladosporium herbarum

Window sills, wood, textiles fiberglass duct liners

According to Suzanne Gravesen’s almost impossible to find book, Microfungi; CH is the most important fungal airway allergen, causing asthma and hay fever. Some skin lesions (chromoblastomycosis) are possible.

Cladosporium sphaerospermum

Paint, textiles, plants wallpaper, carpet, fiberglass

Not listed.

Epicoccum sp

Plants, soil, textiles, paper products

A common allergen

Fusarium sp.

Soil, humidifiers

Can produce trichothecene (induce hemorrhaging in lungs and brain and damage to bone marrow due to DNA synthesis inhibitions) toxins which target circulatory, alimentary, skin And nervous systems. Can produce hemorrhagic syndrome characterized by Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis and internal bleeding

Geotrichum sp

Paper, soil, water

Geotrichum candidum (rare fungal infection of mouth and regulatory tract and digestive tract –rarely a problem) can cause secondary infection in association with Tuberculosis causing lesions of the skin, bronchi, mouth, lung and intestine

Paecilomyces sp

Soil, dust, humidifiers, air Wallpaper

Linked to wood-trimmers disease and humidifier associated illnesses. Reported allergenic. Some strains can clause pneumonia. Turns wallpaper green

Papulospora sp

Soil, textiles, paper

Not listed

Penicillium chrysogenum

Bioindicator of moisture in building. Often found in chipboard and paint.

Not listed

Penicillium commune

Bioindicator of moisture in building

Releases mycotoxins into air, toxic effects not yet sufficiently studied according to Microfungi.

Penicillium expansum

Bioindicator of moisture in building

Secretes citrinin and patulin which effect white blood cells and effect immune defense according to Grevesen’s book Microfungi

Penicillium sp.

Wallpaper, behind and in paint Fiberglass duct insulation

Reported allergenic to skin. Common cause of extrinsic asthma. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms. Chronic cases may Develop pulmonary emphysema.

Rhodotorula sp

Very common Red yeast found in carpeting cooling coils and drain pans

Reported allergenic. Has colonized terminally ill patients

Scopularispsis sp

Wallpaper covered with Paris green, House dust

Associated with type III Allergy; most often associated with an occupational disease like farmers may get from handling moldy hay. Potentially pathogenic. It has the ability to convert inorganic nitrogen to organic nitrogen compounds. Decompose arsenic compounds, which allows it to grow on paint containing arsenic. Often feeds on wallpaper and carpet adhesives containing arsenic compounds. May have caused Napoleon’s death from arsenic poisoning.

Stachybotrys chartarum AKA: Stachybotrys atra and Stachybotrys alternans

Rare. Carpet, drywall, cellulose

May produce trichothecene nycotoxin-Satratoxin H which is poisonous by inhalation. Toxins are present on fungal spores. Spores die readily after release but are still allergenic and toxigenic

Trichoderma sp

Other fungi, drywall, cellulose, Unglazed ceramics

Produces antibiotics which are toxic to humans. Reported to be allergenic.

Ulocladium sp.

Dead plants, drywall, cellulose, textiles

Adds to symptoms of people allergic to Alternaria alternata.

Wallemia sp.

Textiles

Very slow growth. Prefers dry conditions. No known human side effects.