Where does Penicillium Mold Grow?
Penicillium Mold grows in a variety of places and can cause a variety of health problems. Penicillium is a type of fungus, which is naturally present in the human body and other warm environments such as the arctic and sub-tropical areas. However, in these less than perfect conditions it can cause trouble. Penicillium can grow in all kinds of places that would be unhealthy for most people.
Penicillium mold has four recognized species. They are Penicillium rosaeformans, Penicillium albicans, Penicillium latum, and Penicillium purchasi. These four species share physical characteristics of a fungus, but not all species share the same health symptoms. Here are some of the more common diseases that can be associated with this species.
Penicillium Mold symptoms
Penicillium Mold symptoms are often overlooked because they are so easy to assume that they are normal. When you have an indoor environment fungus growing in your home or in a commercial environment, the only way to make sure you are clear is by looking for the obvious symptoms. If you find moisture, then you know there is a problem. However, even in a small amount of moisture can be a problem if you have an indoor environment.
So, what does Penicillium Mold Look Like?
Penicillium molds like a lot of molds. The most common type of Penicillium that can be found growing in people’s homes is Penicillium pachidermatys. This is Penicillium Mold, commonly known as Penicillium roqueforti. It’s also Penicillium crispum, Penicillium sulfate, Penicillium texense and Penicillium crustosa.
Penicillium mold symptoms will include; fungal skin infections, including athlete’s foot and jock itch, oral thrush, and dermatitis. Sometimes the lesions will be white or yellow and sometimes they will be red. The lesions will look very similar to decaying plant debris, hence the name “penicillium”. In rare cases, the lesions may appear as a deformed bump. The penicillium mold symptoms will continue to get worse unless the spores are eliminated. This is why it is important to isolate any mold situation to an area where it can be gotten rid of quickly.
Spores
Penicillium spore numbers can be detected by inspecting for the presence of thyroxine, chloramine, and p. chrysogenum species. When present, these species can be identified on a visual basis by inspecting for these chemical compounds. A visual inspection alone is not always conclusive, however, especially when there are several species involved. In these cases, it is important to confirm the identification with microscopic and/or laboratory testing.
Mold Problems
The most common and problematic species involved in Penicillium growth are Penicillium roqueforti and Penicillium crispum. Penicillium crispum is the only species that produces mycotoxins, which are toxic to humans. Penicillium roqueforti, on the other hand, does not produce toxic mycotoxins, but it does grow at relatively low density in humid and warm environments. Other common species of Penicillium are P. barteri and P. cerviflorum. These species are more frequently associated with indoor and outdoor molds, although Penicillium griseoides and Penicillium tricolor are often found growing in natural or man-made environments as well.
Penicillium mycotoxin is often referred to as the “love bug” because it is actually an insect that loves plants. Penicillium is often mistaken for a plant moth because of its unusual, crumbly appearance (which makes it resemble a bean). Penicillium mycotoxin, or simply “love” toxin, is a toxic organic compound produced by Penicillium castellanii that is believed to be the cause of the widespread food-poisoning known as “food poisoning.” This toxin, when ingested, causes serious nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and ultimately death if it is ingested in high enough quantities. Since Penicillium spores can be dispersed through the air, it is especially important that indoor mold prevention methods avoid allowing any Penicillium spores to come into contact with the general public.
