5 Things To Know About Stachybotrys Chartarum (Black Mold)

When reviewing details about Stachybotrys Chartarum, which is, in layman's terms, referred to as 'black mold', it is integral to cite information from reputable sources; such as academic journals and peer reviewed writings. Here three interesting points about Stachybotrys Chartarum from the Handbook of Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents: 

• Exposure can be derived from ingestion or inhalation, such as when Stachybotrys grows on water damaged cellulose material in properties. 
• The majority of studies addressing the toxicity of mold involve case studies of animals ingesting hay and straw containing Stachybotrys and then showing signs of stachybotryotoxicosis, which is a type of toxicosis. 
• Stachybotrys Chartarum is the most commonly associated mold genus type that is associated with 'sick building' syndrome.

References 
Beasley, V., & Haschek, W. (2009) Trichothecene Mycotoxins (on-line) Handbook of Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents. 

The following two points are derived from Clinical Microbiology Reviews:

• According to the journal, the lowest relative humidity required to support mold growth is 75% in a property. 
• Stachybotrys has a predilection for cellulose materials (the mold type is fond of the material), but Stachybotrys is generally a poor colonizer and tends to colonize an area after Penicillium, and then after Cladosporium (Kuhn et al., 2003).

 
References
Ghannoum, M., Kuhn, D. (2003) Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and Stachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 16(1): 144–172.

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