• Comprise about one-quarter of the biomass on the planet

• Presently ~100,000 known species; may be ~200,000 species

  • Minnesota Department of Health

  • American Industrial Hygiene Association

• n

  Primary role of most molds is bio-degradation / bio-deterioration

• Unique characteristics allow growth on virtually any substrate

  • glass, jet fuel, acids, paint, rubber, textiles, electrical equipment

• nSmallest spores are 2-3 mm (Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp.)

• Largest can be 60 mm diameter (Alternaria alternata)

• Spores can remain dormant, but viable, for years

  • mushroom ascospores: >20 years

  • Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp.: >12 years

• A colony arising from a single spore of Penicillium spp. can produce 10¹² spores in a few days

• Over 500 organic compounds (VOCs) produced by fungi

  • dominated by ethanol

  • responsible for the characteristic “moldy”, “mildewy” odor

    • ~20 compounds are identified in current MVOC testing

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