Indoor Air sciences CSMI Practice Exam

In mold assessment, a slow growing tertiary colonizer is indicative of which organism?

1. Aspergillus

2. Stachybotrys

3. Cladosporium

4. Penicillium

The correct answer is: Stachybotrys

In mold assessment, identifying a slow-growing tertiary colonizer helps reveal specific information about the type of mold present. Stachybotrys, also known as "black mold," is particularly known for being a slow-growing organism that often thrives in environments with high moisture content, such as water-damaged buildings. The classification of mold into colonization types is important for understanding the mold's ecology and its potential health impacts. Tertiary colonizers like Stachybotrys typically appear after primary and secondary colonizers have already been established. Their slow growth rate means they are not able to compete with faster-growing molds initially, but can dominate in certain conditions over time. Understanding this ecological succession helps mold assessors determine the age and condition of fungal growth in an environment, which is crucial for effective remediation and health risk assessment. The growth characteristics of Stachybotrys, specifically its slow colonization, align with the definition of tertiary colonizers, making this organism the correct choice in this context.