Molds: Xerophilic Vs. Hydrophilic Fungi

MOLD: XEROPHILIC VS. HYDROPHILIC FUNGI

Hydrophilic Fungi

A Hydrophile (A Greek term meaning water loving) are known as water-loving or tertiary molds. These colonizers or waterdamage molds need water activity greater than 0.9 (AW=1.0) and include many of the most toxic species such as Chaetomium globosum, Memnoniella echinata, Stachybotrys chartarum, and Trichoderma. It’s important to know that these spores are often spread by water, insects and rodents. Some of these species will aerosolize and spread throughout the structure in multiple ways, including through a heating and air conditioning system. Typical signs to look for are water damage, water staining, pipe leaks and roof leaks. Water-loving molds tend to grow slower than xerophilic molds that don’t require as much moisture.

Xerophilic Fungi

A Xerophile (A Greek term meaning dry loving) is an organism that can grow and reproduce in conditions with a low availability of water. This also means that this particular type of fungi is “xerotolerant” or tolerant of dry conditions. Buildings can be considered “new” man-made ecosystems, where - as in other environments - a limited number of fungal species will dominate, depending on the humidity and nutrient availability. It’s important to note that these fungi are able to thrive under conditions where “marked changes in humidity happen during the day. These fungi will also thrive in environments with more moisture, however, they don’t require it.