toxic mold

Toxic mold is a term used to describe types of mold that are considered harmful to humans. Toxic mold encompasses hundreds of species of mold, a small fraction of which are not very harmful to the human body. Mold is a form of fungus that grows both indoors and outdoors and thrives in warm, damp, and humid environments. 

There are five genera of toxic mold: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Stachybotrys. Each genera contains different species as well. Some may only cause hay fever-like allergic reactions, while others can potentially cause deadly illnesses. All five of these mold genera can be found in damp spaces indoors. Mold can manifest on hidden surfaces, such as behind wallpaper or paneling, on top of ceiling tiles, behind walls, and underneath carpet or flooring.

Commonly, a mold claim seeks to bring personal injury and property damage claims into a lawsuit seeking recovery for:

Mold claims may also arise in worker’s compensation and insurance bad faith disputes.

[Last reviewed in December of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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