Black mold, specifically Stachybotrys chartarum, is not directly derived from dirt, but it can grow on materials that are wet and found in soil like cellulose. While it’s often found in damp, decaying organic matter, like soil and grain, it thrives in water-damaged areas with high cellulose content.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
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Not a Direct Origin: Mold spores are naturally present in the air and can land on any surface. When they encounter a damp, cellulose-rich environment, they can begin to grow.
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Cellulose: When wet Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) favors materials like paper, dust, lint, and other building materials that contain cellulose.
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Dampness is Key: Moisture is essential for mold growth, so water damage or high humidity creates ideal conditions.
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Found in Soil and Grain:While black mold can be found in soil and grain, it’s not a direct origin point but rather a place where it can thrive due to the presence of suitable materials.
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Not All Black Mold is Toxic: While the term “black mold” is often used, it can refer to different mold species. Stachybotrys chartarum is the one most commonly associated with the term and is known to produce mycotoxins.
Mycotoxins are metabolites of some fungi that can cause illness in humans and animals, primarily after ingestion of contaminated foods. Low levels of mycotoxins are found in many foods; therefore, mycotoxins are found in the urine of healthy persons (3,4). Mycotoxin levels that predict disease have not been established. Urine mycotoxin tests are not approved by FDA for accuracy or for clinical use.
CDC does NOT recommend biologic testing of persons who work or live in water-damaged buildings nor routine environmental sampling for mold (5,6). To identify possible mold contamination, visual inspection is the first step.
To inspect the interior of walls and other difficult-to-examine spaces, a borescope can be inserted through a small hole. Moisture meters can measure moisture in building materials such as carpet, wallboard, wood, brick, and concrete. Identification and elimination of sources of moisture and cleaning or replacement of contaminated materials is essential.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6406a7.htm