What is alternaria?

Alternaria is the most common form of allergenic mold in the world. It is a velvet-textured mold with dark green or brown hairs and typically grows wherever dampness occurs. In homes, this is commonly in showers, bathtubs and below leaking sinks.

Specimens of Alternaria are often found growing on carpets, textiles and horizontal surfaces such as window frames. It is commonly found in soil, seeds and plants. It is known to be a common allergen.

It appears as a velvety tuft with long soft hairs and its color ranges from dark olive green to brown.

Alternaria is a dry spore and is readily found in air samples as well as on tape lift samples in water-damaged buildings and a significant increase in its numbers compared to outdoor levels can be a sign of growth.

Alternaria is also a common species that appears as a result of water damage to a home or buildings an allergenic mold, alternaria causes asthma-like symptoms including in the upper respiratory tract, nose and mouth. Because is spreads quickly, it’s important to re-mediate alternaria mold immediately before it overtakes a home.

There are 299 species in the genus. They are ubiquitous in the environment and are a natural part of fungal flora almost everywhere.

They are normal agents of decay and decomposition. The spores are airborne and found in the soil and water, as well as indoors and on objects. Allergies are common, but serious infections are rare, except in people with compromised immune systems.