Environment and allergic disease                Return to menu

Mold Spores 

• Mold spores are much smaller than pollen grains, allowing many of them to bypass the normal filtering function of the nose effectively.  Inhalation of mold spores into the lung is a common cause of asthma attacks in people who are allergic to molds. 
• Mold spores come from soil and decaying vegetation, and are ubiquitous.  Mold counts increase near irrigated farm land, golf courses, artificial lakes and high water use vegetation. 
• In the semi-arid southwest, atmospheric mold spore counts are much lower than in regions that have a higher rainfall. 
• Mold growth and spore counts increase with increased rainfall and high humidity, after the summer rains and  in the fall.  Dry and cold conditions tend to inhibit mold growth. 
• In houses with evaporative cooling and old carpets, mold can be a problem.  Growth of mold in houses increases after a plumbing or roof leak onto carpet. 
• Many types of mold are found in soil and house dust.   The most common types in the southwest include Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Helminthosporium. 

For additional information on control of indoor mold, see AAAAI tips on indoor allergens.

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Disclaimer:   This site is for educational purposes only.  Any information that you have found in this web site is not intended to replace medical care or advice given to you by your own physicians. You should consider consulting your local medical library and other web sites for additional information. 

Comments and suggestions welcome!   Email: schumach@u.arizona.edu
Content Owner:  Michael J. Schumacher, MB, FRACP, The University of Arizona

Updated 7/2008