What to Know About Chaetomium Mold

Although there are over 100,000 known species of mold, most play an essential role in natural ecosystems. However, mold in your home is never a good sign. It often indicates poor indoor air quality, excessive moisture or hidden leaks, all of which can lead to serious problems if left unchecked.

One particularly concerning group of molds is Chaetomium, commonly found in water-damaged materials such as drywall, insulation and wood. Chaetomium can cause severe health issues, including respiratory problems, allergic reactions and skin irritation. In extreme cases, exposure to this mold can be fatal. Recognizing Chaetomium early is crucial. Ahead, learn more about where to look for Chaetomium in your home and how to safely remove it with tips from Michael Sacenti of American Healthy Homes.

What Is Chaetomium Mold?

Chaetomium is a genus of dark-walled molds with 95 known species. Discovered by German zoology professor Gustav Kunze in 1817, these molds begin as white fuzzy growths that turn bluish-green as they reach maturity. The spores are dark brown in color and they’re shaped like a fat football. These spores spread in the air, but often don’t disperse unless mature mold is disturbed and shaken loose. Growing best in cellulose-rich environments, Chaetomium digests this cellulose as it matures, gradually decomposing the material and giving off a distinctly musty odor.

Where Is It Commonly Found?

Chaetomium species grow worldwide, most commonly in dung, damp soil and decomposing plants. Indoors, they attach to any moist surface containing cellulose such as wood, ceiling tiles and drywall. They’re especially common on water-damaged surfaces. “You can find Chaetomium in basements, kitchens or bathrooms,” Sacenti says, “Really anywhere there’s moisture in the home.”

What Are the Health Risks?

This mold can cause serious health problems. Like many molds, it can easily lead to severe allergic reactions and respiratory infections in immune compromised people. However, several species produce carcinogenic mycotoxins which can cause cancer. Chaetomium is also known to cause skin and nail infections. In rare cases, fatal brain infections have been associated with Chaetomium. “It’s urgent to remove Chaetomium, you don’t want it to get into your system,” Sacenti says. “It’s one the most dangerous molds.”

How to Remove and Prevent Chaetomium

All mold discovered in homes should be eliminated right away, but Chaetomium carries greater urgency than most. As the second or third most dangerous mold genus to humans, dealing with an infestation quickly could make the difference between no health consequences and serious ones.

Protect yourself with a HEPA-rated respirator (and filter), gloves, eye protection and a disposable set of coveralls. As with all mold, the first step is eliminating unwanted moisture sources allowing the mold to grow. If there’s standing water, get it pumped out. If things are wet, dry the area with heat and fans. Your first task is to make sure mold stops growing while you’re cleaning up. Got some water damaged drywall or wood paneling? Tear it out. Have an old, musty carpet in your basement? Throw it away.

In the future, make sure your house is properly ventilated and leak-free. Do whatever is necessary to keep moisture levels too low for mold to grow. Then spray all areas of existing mold on non-removable surfaces with a non-toxic fungicide, or call in a mold removal specialist.

About the Expert

• Michael Sacenti owns American Healthy Homes. He has 10 years of experience in the mold remediation industry and 40 years experience in real estate maintenance.