# Mold

Mold is a type of fungus that grows on damp surfaces. Indoors, the most common molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus.

## Why the names matter

Mold is a fungus, and it grows on damp surfaces indoors and outdoors. The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus.

The names people use most often are not scientific categories. EPA explains that black mold is not a species or a specific kind of mold, and neither is toxic mold. Both are media shorthand for molds that may produce mycotoxins, or specifically for Stachybotrys chartarum.

## Names you will see

### Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus

The molds CDC lists as the most common indoors, and cleanup is the same.

### Black mold

Not a species or a specific kind of mold. EPA calls it media shorthand.

### Toxic mold

Also not a species. The term is shorthand for molds that may produce mycotoxins.

## Sources

- CDC About: https://www.cdc.gov/mold-health/about/
- U.S. EPA Mold course chapter 1: https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-course-chapter-1
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/mold-health/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

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