The five categories of toxic mold are Cladosporium, Penicilium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Stachybotrys, according to LegalInfo.com. These types of mold cause different symptoms, and all five of these toxic mold types grow indoors.
Some toxic molds produce symptoms akin to hay fever allergic reactions, whereas others may cause deadly conditions. In addition to producing different symptoms, each type of mold has specific traits that affect items with which the mold comes into contact, whether it is a material or organism, states LegalInfo.com. Mold has the ability to grow in hidden places such as wallpaper, paneling, ceiling tiles and under carpets.
Molds in the Stachybotrys chartarum category are the most lethal, as they are associated with causing liver, brain and nerve damage. This type of mold is also capable of causing death, warns LegalInfo.com. Infants exposed to this type of mold are at risk for developing serious illnesses. People with weak immune systems, such as children and the elderly, are also highly susceptible to diseases caused by contact with this kind of mold.
Symptoms caused by exposure to Stachybotrys mold include respiratory conditions, chronic fatigue, eye irritation, hacking cough and a sore throat. Additional symptoms are nose and sinus congestion, aches and pain and issues with the central nervous system, states LegalInfo.com.