Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Alternaria is a common type of mold and a known plant pathogen. There are hundreds of species of Alternaria; many are ubiquitous in the natural environment, playing an important role in decomposing materials outdoors.
Spores from Alternaria can make their way inside a building, impacting the indoor air quality. Properties that have suffered from water damage or elevated humidity levels resulting in mold contamination may also find Alternaria among the types of mold growing indoors.
Indoors or outdoors, Alternaria is a common cause of allergies. Exposure to elevated concentrations could also trigger an asthma attack in some asthmatics. Inhaling Alternaria or other types of fungi could even act as a respiratory irritant or be a concern for those who already suffer from various respiratory diseases.
Alternaria has also been recognized as a human pathogen, although serious infections are not common. While these infections could occur in anyone, they typically impact those with weakened immune systems.
The production of mycotoxins has also been linked to Alternaria. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by some types of fungi. The effects on humans due to inhalation exposure to mycotoxins are not well known at this time.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Alternaria and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
Alternaria is a common type of mold and a known plant pathogen. There are hundreds of species of Alternaria; many are ubiquitous in the natural environment, playing an important role in decomposing materials outdoors.
Spores from Alternaria can make their way inside a building, impacting the indoor air quality. Properties that have suffered from water damage or elevated humidity levels resulting in mold contamination may also find Alternaria among the types of mold growing indoors.
Indoors or outdoors, Alternaria is a common cause of allergies. Exposure to elevated concentrations could also trigger an asthma attack in some asthmatics. Inhaling Alternaria or other types of fungi could even act as a respiratory irritant or be a concern for those who already suffer from various respiratory diseases.
Alternaria has also been recognized as a human pathogen, although serious infections are not common. While these infections could occur in anyone, they typically impact those with weakened immune systems.
The production of mycotoxins has also been linked to Alternaria. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by some types of fungi. The effects on humans due to inhalation exposure to mycotoxins are not well known at this time.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Alternaria and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
