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You’ve most likely encountered unsightly stains and musty smells in your home from mould. It grows in our showers and loves to hide out undetected in our roof or floor leaks.
A World Health Organization (WHO) report states that 10-50% of Australian buildings experience mould problems. And mould doesn’t just affect our homes. As the Parliament of Australia acknowledges, in some cases, “exposure to mould can have an adverse impact on health.”
Of course, not all mould is bad for us. We can thank it for creating blue cheese, some dessert wines, and breakthrough medicine like penicillin. Tens of thousands of mould species grow naturally in our environment, and most of them don’t cause problems.
But there’s an infamous type that might: black mould.
Many types of mould species appear black, but the term ‘black mould’ (sometimes known in Australia as toxic mould) refers specifically to Stachybotrys chartarum.
It’s a greenish-black fungus that often grows when moisture is present. Like every type of mould, it occurs naturally outdoors and plays a major role in our ecosystem.
However, when water damage from leaks and floods or condensation occur indoors, black mould can also grow on cellulose-rich building materials, such as:
This makes black mould particularly bothersome for both homeowners and renters.
Black mould around windows
But can black mould cause health problems for Australians? And what are the mould toxicity symptoms to look out for?
Mould releases tiny spores into the air that we then inhale. Occasionally, we might touch mould-affected surfaces or even ingest mouldy food.
The World Health Organization concluded that there’s, “an association between exposure to dampness or mould and conditions such as asthma, allergic alveolitis and mould infections in susceptible individuals.”
GP Dr Jill Gamberg says that people with, “severe asthma, allergies, weakened immune system or chronic lung disease,” are most likely to have reactions to black mould.
Naturopath Jess Milroy adds that the length and degree of your exposure to black mould can affect your symptoms. She explains that, “mould exposure symptoms may begin as respiratory or allergy symptoms”, such as:
However, Jess says that long-term exposure may present in other ways. That’s why it’s always best to seek advice from a health professional (such as your GP) for your specific circumstances.
If black mould has shown up as an unwelcome guest in your home, it’s important to clean it safely and promptly. If you decide to clean it yourself, here are some helpful tips:
It’s important to clean mould safely and promptly
The good news is that preventing mould is possible. Here are Dr Jill’s top tips to reduce mould growth and exposure:
It’s also common for mould to grow in dark, air-restricted areas. The Queensland Government recommends allowing sunlight into your property as often as possible, as well as leaving room between your furniture for sufficient airflow.
Reduce the moisture levels in your home to prevent mould growth
While moulds are essential to the ecosystem and contribute to some great creations, you don’t want them as guests in your home.
Keep the moisture levels in your home low to prevent mould growth, and be ready to tackle any mould that finds its way indoors.
And of course, if you’re concerned about possible mould exposure, be sure to speak to your doctor.
Related:
Dr Jill Gamberg is a General Practitioner and one of the first Australian Lifestyle Medicine Physicians whose goal is to help prevent disease and maintain wellness with evidence-based practice, and to passionately improve health literacy.
Jessica Milroy is a Naturopath who combines evidence-based functional medicine with a range of complementary therapies and lifestyle supportive strategies to find and treat the root cause of an illness, empowering her clients to be well in the process.
Reviewed by the healthylife Advisory Board October 2021.