Mold is a group of about 200,000 species of fungi. Fungi/Molds occur in both the indoor and outdoor environment. Mold does have a purpose in nature and that is to breakdown or digest dead or decaying organic matter such as dry leaves. Mold/fungi are known and natures recycler. The reason for this is that fungi cannot make it’s own food source thus utilize what is know as extra-cellular digestion to consume organic material.

Mold/Fungi require three elements to grow. An active, moisture source, a food source, and oxygen. A food source can be any organic or cellulose based material from dead leaves to dust or wood and paper drywall backing. Fungi like humans are made up of mostly water so which is why they thrive in moisture rich environments. Mold also prefers areas where there are low levels of ultra-violet (UV) light.

“Fungi can grown on almost any surface provided there is a source of nutrient present. All fungi require glucose for energy. This simple sugar is usually present in the environment in complex molecules that must be digested before the glucose becomes available for use in producing energy in the fungus. Nutrient sources (food) for some fungi must contain simple sugars or starches that are easily digested. Other fungi produce enzymes that allow the digestion of more complex sugar sources. These complex sugar sources include cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. In order to cause wood rot, a fungi must be able to degrade one or more of these compounds.”

Reference: Burge, Harriet The Environmental Reporter, Vol 2, Issue 5