Moulds are fungi, which are present at low levels indoors and outdoors. While people are exposed to mould on a daily basis without harm, spores released by moulds can trigger asthma attacks, and can worsen respiratory or allergic conditions. The common cause for growth of mould is dampness, for example in bathrooms, under floors or below the roof. Wherever moisture can get into wood, carpets, paper or even dirt, it provides ideal breeding ground for mould.

Mould can be green, grey, brown or black, and produces a musty smell. The most common indoor moulds are Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Penicillium.

Symptoms of mould infestation can be respiratory problems such as wheezing and difficulty to breath, dry, hacking coughs, shortness of breath and sore throats. Nasal and sinus congestion, eye irritation including burning, watery, red, blurry vision, and light sensitivity can all be symptoms of exposure to mould. In the worst case it can cause central nervous system problems such as headaches, memory problems, and mood swings, aches and pains, and possible fevers.

Moulds can trigger asthma attacks and aggravate other respiratory and allergic conditions. Symptoms depend on the amount of airborne spores a person is exposed to and how sensitive they are to moulds.

The best way of dealing with moulds is to avoid them in the first place. Your home or workplace needs to have adequate ventilation to avoid the build up of moisture and dampness. Fix any leaking pipes, roofing or other leaks and install adequate ventilation systems for your bathroom and kitchen, with vents leading into the open air, rather than into the roof cavity. Regularly replace air-conditioning filters to avoid build up of mould.

Cleaning up mould is important, but if you are sensitive, you might need to wear a special respirator (called ‘P1’ or ‘P2’), which is suitable for filtering out airborne mould spores. They are available at most hardware stores.

Bleaching mould does not actually kill it, just makes it invisible, while spores will continue to pollute the air. Using a vinegar solution to get rid of the mould and drying up any dampness are the only cure.