Mould Fungus & Fungi Terms,
Meaning & Definitions

  
Mould: A fungus or fungi that eats and grows on and in damp or high moisture or decaying organic matter.  Synonym: mold.  [back]

Toxic Black Mould: A fungus or fungi that emits chemical mycotoxin poisons that become airborne & cause serious human health diseases. Toxic mould & black mould are brain-damaging Stachybotrys toxic mould [often misspelled  Stachybotris]. [back]

Fungus: A parasitic plant lacking chlorophyll, a rigid cell wall, leaves, true stems & roots. Multicellular. Composed of thread- like hyphae. Reproduces by spores. [back]

Mould Spore: A small reproductive fungal cell that is resistant to unfavorable environmental conditions such as no water, & is capable of mould reproduction fungal growth when water & organic materials to eat exist. [back]

Hyphae: Fungi usually are filamentous, with the single filaments being termed hyphae. Fungal hyphae grow and branch to make a filament network [mycelium]. [back]

Dormant Mould: Mould or fungus [fungi] that is inactive and awaiting future moisture and food to begin mould fungal reproduction and growth. [back]

Mould Inspection: The thorough physical examination of a building by a Certified Mould Inspector  to find & locate visual & hidden mould and fungal growth & water problems that enable mould and fungus spores to grow into mould colony infestations. Includes mould testing & mould laboratory analysis of collected mould samples and samplings.  Certified mould inspection and mould tests are often necessary to file a  mould  insurance claim. [back]

Mould Investigation: Advanced, in depth mould inspection and mould tests to find all mould infestation inside a building. See Certified Toxic Mould Investigator. [back]

Mould Testing: Collection by a Certified Mould Inspector of direct physical samples of visible mould, mould, fungi, and of indoor air samples in rooms, attic, crawl space, basement, & heating & air conditioning equipment & ducts, so that the mould samplings can be grown by a mould lab in mould culture plates [viable mould testing] to produce full- grown mould colonies for mould lab analysis & identification by the mould laboratory. [back]

Mould Test Kit: Do-it-yourself sampling of room & HVAC air,  & physical sampling of visible mould fungal growth into easy-to-use mould culture plates for lab identification. [back]
 
Mould Inspector: A mould professional who has been specially trained in the detection of toxic  mould  and fungal contamination in homes, condos, apartments, offices, & commercial buildings. The mould fungus expert inspector utilizes high-tech inspection devices such as  moisture meter [to find water problems hidden  inside walls, ceilings, and floors], fiber optics [to look inside walls & ceilings for mould infestation],  timed mould culture plate impactor, air sampling pump & cassettes, & hygrometer [to check for the high level humidity that mould can grow in]. [back]

Mould Analysis Laboratory: A scientific mould lab or microbiology laboratory that specializes in, or provides, the analysis, identification, and quantification of mould and fungus [fungi] species from mould and fungus samples and samplings. [back]

Viable Mould test: Immediate microscopic analysis of the collected substance to determine: (1) whether it is mould fungus or not; (2) if mould, how many mould and fungus [fungi] spores are present in sample; and
(3) where possible, to identify the few mould and fungi species that can be visually identified without the highly accurate viable mould lab analysis done after 5-7 days' mould culture plate growth.. [back]

Chain of Custody: A mould laboratory form which is completed by the Certified Mould Inspector who collects the mould and fungus samples to record the details of the mould sampling work done, and to document both the transfer of custody of the mould samplings directly from the inspector to the mould lab, & their receipt by the analysis lab. [back]

Mould Remediation: The safe & complete killing & removal of mould and fungus spores & mould fungi colony growth from mould contaminated  homes and other buildings. Effective mould and fungus remediation usually requires the removal of mould-damaged building materials and the use of a fungicide to kill mould and fungi and an antimicrobial coating to prevent future mould growth & danger. Usually mould removal is done by a Certified Mould Remediator or Certified Contractor. [back]

Mould Remediator: A mould fungus professional who has been specially trained as a mould fungal remediation specialist  for toxic mould and fungi detection, mould and fungi decontamination, mould fungi inspection, mould and fungal testing, mould and fungi sampling, mould prevention, mould and fungus remediation, mould and fungus removal.  Certified Mould Remediator. [back]

Fungicide: An effective, safe, and quick indoor mould and fungus killer and mould fungi disinfectant registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. [back]

Antimicrobial coating: After all moldy building materials have been removed & the area has been cleaned and disinfected with a fungicide, an antimicrobial coating is sprayed onto the mould-free surfaces & new replacement building materials to protect them against future mould growth. The best and safest  is EPA registered Tim-bor. [back]

Mould Training and Mould Education: Mould instruction, education, & certification at a professional toxic mould school, mould class, mould seminar, or mould course for mould inspection, mould testing, mould fungus remediation, mould fungi removal, mould fungus prevention, and  mould business practices. [back]

Mould Report: A written presentation from a Certified Mould Inspector to his client of his physical building  inspection findings & mould and fungus sampling mould lab results, detailed analysis thereof, and recommendations for specific mould fungi remediation & fungus removal steps required to remove any mould problem documented in the mould report. [back]

Mould Maintenance: Mould and fungus prevention requires effective and regular building mould fungal maintenance to prevent roof leaks, water leaks, water problems, mould-causing high humidity, and toxic mould fungal growth. [back]

Mould Decontamination: and Mould Detoxification. Safe, effective & total removal of mould and fungus spores & mould growth from buildings & personal possessions. [back]

Mould Lawyer: An environmental attorney, environmental lawyer, or mould attorney who specializes in prosecuting or defending mould-related legal problems and lawsuits. [back]

Mould Allergy. Human allergic reaction [such as skin rashes, open sores, and respiratory problems] from exposure to airborne mould and fungus spores & indoor mould growth. [back]

Allergen: Any substance, such as pollen, mould or fungi, or animal dander, that can trigger allergic response in humans and pets. [back]
 
Sick building syndrome: an environmentally unhealthy house or other building containing mould fungal infestation, biological contamination, or lead paint, asbestos, radon, etc., resulting in serious health problems for its occupants. [back]

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