Ulocladium Mold

There are several species of fungi known as saprophytes that exist in the environment. These include spore-producing organisms like mushrooms and mold.

They are able to reproduce asexually, a process that does not require gamete fusion. It is a pathogenic fungus that exhibits this trait. The following are several important facts about this fungi species:

Habitat and Texture/Color

Colonies may be black, brown or grey mold, with a texture that is similar to wool, suede or cotton. It normally thrives on tapestries, plants, paper paint, soil, wood and textiles. Other places it can grow include wet surfaces like wet carpets and building materials that have been damaged by water.

Because of its texture, it’s easily dispersed through air by wind currents. Hence this mold is present in the atmosphere and definitely around your home. It has a rapid growth rate, attaining maturity in approximately five days after which it produces mold.

The ideal environment for the mold is a where there is plenty of moisture or water. Presence of Ulocladium in your house is a sign of plumbing problem, because it requires plenty of water to grow. Although there is no scientific evidence that it produces mycotoxins, it still poses a threat to human life.

Species

Ulocladium is a fungi genus that has two known species: Ulocladium chartartum species which has pathogenic traits (it causes hay allergy fever) and Ulocladium botrytis which has no known pathogenic traits.

Health effects

Like many fungi species Ulocladium mold causes negative health effects. Because of its fluffy nature, it is easily dispersed from its habitat into the air .If it’s inside your house, the air will become infected and you will inhale it or you may swallow it through food.

The moment this happens, your respiratory system is normally the first and main body part to be affected. This mold causes allergic reactions like hay fever and asthma, resulting into breathing difficulty and other effects.

A person with a weak immune system is more vulnerable compared to one with a strong immune system. This pathogenic mold also causes headaches, sinus congestion, runny nose and sneezing, wet and itchy eyes. Medical studies indicate people who have respiratory conditions like asthma are adversely affected by this mold.

Patients who have a weak immune system, patients undergoing chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS patients and those under some types of medication are adversely affected by this mold. It will cause eye and skin infections. Acute infections by this mold may be fatal.

Effects of Mold on Buildings

Apart from causing health problems, this mold has the potential of damaging your home. It will destroy wood surfaces and walls. You will incur extra costs to remove the mold and repair the surfaces. In extreme cases, you will be forced to replace an item because the mold has consumed it.

Colonization by this mold commonly causes structural damage. The damage will be worse if there are also other kinds of mold such Bipolaris growing in your house. Surfaces invaded by this mold are discolored. When this happens, aesthetic surfaces that had no dirt will be turned into black, brown or grey unpleasant surfaces.

Tackling Ulocladium Mold

Because it’s present on all wet surfaces, there are no known techniques of completely eradicating it. In case your house has been invaded by this fungus, you can engage the services of a company that specializes in removing pathogenic molds.

The first step will be to test the presence of this mold on the affected surfaces and in the surrounding air. A sample from the area affected by the mold is taken to a laboratory for confirmatory tests. In case the tests are positive, the removal process will begin. The best way to remove the mold is by using antimicrobial chemicals.

Use preventive measures like dehumidification (reduction of water content in the air), cleaning surfaces, drying up the air (using an air conditioner) and drying all wet surfaces which will prevent any further regeneration of the fungi’s spores.

Conclusion

Ulocladium mold has the potential of causing problems to your health and damaging your home. Prevention is better than cure; mold removal will save you a lot of money that you may have to spend on hospital bills to treat respiratory problems arising from this mold. In addition frequently check your plumbing system to ensure there are no leaks that may encourage growth of the fungi.

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