MADISON -- News 3 has learned more about the type of mold that may have been making staff and students at Chavez Elementary School sick. The school is closed temporarily, following illnesses reported by some staff and students.

State and local environmental health experts said the school molds are consistent with the health symptoms reported by staff and students. Initial tests show the three molds at Chavez don't include aspergillus, which invaded a home and forced its owners out.

Aspergillus is one mold that can produce toxins very harmful to humans. But at Chavez, city and state health officials are downplaying the mold hazard. A city epidemiologist said the tests found cladosporium, alternaria and penicillium.

Madison Health Department environmental empidmiologist John Hausbeck said, "Any mold can be harmful depending on the situation. The cladosporium, alternaria, or penicillium can be harmful to people based on whether they have either allergenic or asthmatic responses."

Hausbeck said the school district's consultant is doing more tests to check for other types of mold or any potentially harmful toxins.

Ken Allen, private mold expert, said that one of the molds is probably "fairly benign." But he also said alternaria is a known allergen that can trigger asthma attacks or something similar to pneumonia. As for penicillium, Allen, mold expert, said that depends on the species, but he said some species could be dangerous and even damage human organs.

It may be two weeks before more mold test results are completed. A lot of students and teachers lost school supplies due to the mold contamination and they are asking for the public to help them get some needed supplies.

Although some supplies have already come in, students still need paper, markers, scissors and glue, among other items.

Howard Fried, Chavez principal, said they are accepting gift certificates or supplies. "Many schools put up signs, asking 'what do you need?' and it appears the next morning. The spontaneous generosity has just been marvelous."