Different Types of Mold in Air Ducts

Clean air ducts are an integral part of a healthy home. If health is true wealth, then cleaning ducts should be one of the top priorities of home maintenance. It is indeed surprising to know the types of mold in air ducts that can pose serious health problems for the inmates of the house. The deposits of dirt, grime, and mold in the air duct can cause major health problems if left unchecked for long.

The moist and humid climate of the air duct makes it a perfect hotspot for molds of all kinds to make a living there. Since ducts largely remain out of sight, homeowners fail to realize the importance of mold removal in living a healthy life. Read on to find out more about different kinds of mold.

Acremonium

This is the commonest type of mold in vents. It looks powdery and is white. This kind of mold by itself cannot affect humans seriously unless it teems up with the other types causing pneumonia, endocarditis, and subcutaneous infections.

Alternaria

This type of mold is a common allergen in humans. This can turn out to be serious if you are susceptible to allergies. This appears brownish or greenish and has a velvety texture.

It is formed due to leakages or condensation in the air ducts. This kind of mold is a usual fixture in old homes and systems that needs immediate overhaul.

Aspergillus

This is the harder version out of all the other types of mold in air ducts. This kind of mold appears in various colors and forms.

They are mostly found in white, yellow, and green colors. Exposure to this type of mold can result in loss of breath, fever and chills, joint pain, headache, and a few eye symptoms.

Chaetomium

This mold is brown and cotton-like in texture. You cannot identify it easily because the color changes over time. This mold produces mycotoxins that can cause nail and skin infections in humans.

This too, like Alternaria, appears largely in wet spots or water-rummaged buildings. Any kind of leak in your HVAC system can trigger the growth of this mold.

Fusarium

This kind of mold usually appears outside the building and is also called soil mold. A leaking HVAC system can have this kind of mold in the interiors too.

The mold appears in several colors and textures. It may appear white, yellow, or brown. It is more harmful to plants than to humans. However, it can be slightly risky for immunocompromised people.

Mucor

This is most toxic and harmful than all other types of mold in air ducts. These molds are usually found in air vents and air conditioners.

This spreads fast and can affect the entire air duct system of a house. This mold should be removed as soon as it is found.

Trichoderma

This kind of mold take root in watery spaces within the duct. This mold is green, white, or gray. This is mostly found in air-conditioning vents as it feeds on airborne moisture and spreads fast in the entire duct system.

Stachybotrys

This common type of mold is usually found in households. It’s black and is easily identifiable in air ducts. It is toxic and can cause nasal irritation, congestion, coughing, lightheadedness, and mental fatigue.

Ulocladium

This is a rare mold compared to the other types. It is usually black, grey, or brown and is largely found in air vents. You can find this in kitchen and bathroom corners too. It is woolen or suede-textured.

It is quite harmful to humans and can cause irreparable damage to your respiratory and immune systems. You need professionals to get rid of this kind of mold.

Bottom Line

Molds as discussed above are potential threats to human health. Thus, it is imperative that the air duct cleaning is done intermittently or at regular intervals to ensure a healthy ambiance in your living space. You can alternately call on professional services to identify the potential causes of danger and eradicate them efficiently.