Mould and your health
Community fact sheet
Mould only grows when there is sufficient moisture.
What is mould? When mould appears the first task is to try to
Mould is a type of fungi that lives on plant and establish where the moisture is coming from.
animal matter. Mould grows best in damp and
Parts of the house that get wet or have poor
poorly ventilated areas, and reproduces by making
ventilation are prone to mould growth, such as:
spores.
• kitchens, bathrooms and laundries because of
Airborne mould spores are commonly found in both
condensation or high humidity and leaking pipes
indoor and outdoor environments. When they land
on damp spots indoors, they may begin to grow and • cupboards and corners because of restricted
spread. ventilation
There is no practical way to eliminate all mould • walls or windows that are exposed to hot indoor
indoors; the way to control indoor mould growth is air and cold outdoor air
to control the source of moisture. • walls and ceilings due to insufficient insulation or
rain seeping through the roof.
What does mould look like?
Avoid conditions encouraging mould growth, by
Mould is not always easy to recognize. It often using heat, insulation and ventilation.
looks like ‘fuzz’ or appears to be a stain, smudge or
discoloration. The most common moulds are black, The cheapest and easiest way of reducing moisture
green or white. However, mould can be many other and humidity levels is by ventilating a room by
colours ranging from grey to orange to brown. opening a door or window. Use exhaust fans where
available.
How does mould affect people?
Rising damp issues
Mould associated with damp buildings can trigger
nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, wheeze, Rising damp is ground moisture rising up a brick or
respiratory infections and worsen asthma and stone wall.
allergic conditions. Poor sub floor ventilation or moisture in the sub
People with weakened immune systems; allergies; floor area will worsen the problem.
severe asthma; chronic, obstructive, or allergic lung Rising damp can be fixed by installing a new damp-
diseases are more susceptible to these symptoms course or waterproof barrier in the wall.
and other serious health effects.
Ensure the weep holes and air vents at the base of
People who are more susceptible should seek your home are uncovered.
medical advice if they are concerned about mould.
An experienced building consultant can recommend
ways to fix the problem.
Controlling mould growth
Generally, if you can see or smell mould, you need
to clean up and remove the mould immediately as
mould can damage surfaces it grows on. The longer
it grows the more damage it can cause.
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Department of Health
Actions you can take safety professional. For a fee, these professionals
can provide specialist mould testing and
• Fix leaky plumbing and other building
consultancy services.
faults.
• Use exhaust fans or open windows in the Mould growth after flooding
bathroom and kitchen when showering,
Flooding, excess moisture and pooled water can
cooking or using the dishwasher.
contribute to the growth of mould in your home,
• Vent clothes dryers to the outside. which may be a health risk for you and your family.
• Avoid conditions that encourage mould When returning to your home, be aware of any
growth by using heat insulation and visible mould or a musty smell. High mould levels
ventilation. are likely if the house has been flooded for more
• Vacuum cleaning using a ‘HEPA filter .
1 than two days.
• Clean up mould The key to preventing mould growth is to clean up
and dry out the house as quickly as possible (within
For information on how to clean up and remove 24 to 48 hours).
mould refer to the fact sheet “Removing Mould
at Home” Before you plan your cleanup, remember that not
everyone is suited to working in damp, potentially
I live in a rental property that has mouldy conditions.
mould. Where can I go for help? Check that family members and volunteers who
The owner should remedy mould caused by faults offer assistance are not sensitive to mould.
in gutters or other fixtures, but the tenant must The following people should avoid being present
ensure there is adequate ventilation throughout, to during post-flood cleaning or repair works:
help avoid mould problems during winter.
• children (under 12 years, particularly
Note that the cause of the mould growth may be infants)
due to a building fault that may not be easily
• pregnant women
rectified.
• people over 65 years
If you have taken measures to ensure the building
is properly ventilated and mould is still growing, you • those with weakened immune systems;
should raise the issue with the owner. Tenants allergies; severe asthma; chronic,
seeking further advice on their rights as a tenant obstructive, or allergic lung diseases.
may wish to contact the Tenants Union of Victoria
You do not need to test for mould. It is better to
on 03 9416 2577.
assume that the building’s interior is contaminated
with mould when:
Should I test for mould in my
home? • it has been flooded for more than two days
It is generally not considered necessary to test for • visible mould growth is extensive (more
mould in the home, as it can be visually identified. than before the flood)
However, not all mould is visible as contamination • visible water damage is present or musty
may be in cavities or the ceiling. odours are strong.
If you suspect mould contamination but cannot find The more extensive the contamination, the greater
the source of the problem, or if you have already the personal risk of exposure during the clean-up
taken measures to prevent mould from growing and process. Consider using professional cleaners that
you are still having problems, you could employ an can remove the mould if the area to clean is large.
occupational hygienist or environmental health and
Before cleaning or disposing of water or mould-
1 damaged items, always seek expert advice from
A HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter is a type of
filter that can trap a large amount of very small particles your insurance company.
that other vacuum cleaners would simply recirculate back
into the air of your home.
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Department of Health
What should I wear to protect myself 6. allowing the house to dry throughout by
from mould in a flooded home? airing or active drying (for example fans or
Just visiting: dehumidifiers).
If you are visiting your house to collect belongings,
visually inspect for damage or to do basic clean-up
over short periods: Drying out the house after a flood
• wear sturdy footwear, and rubber or leather When returning to your home after a flood, open
gloves doors and windows to air out the house.
• it is preferable that footwear is waterproof Once reliable, safe power is restored use fans and
and has rubber soles dehumidifiers to dry out the house.
• it is not usually necessary to wear a Air conditioning or central heating should not be
respirator unless you are sensitive to used unless they are undamaged and
mould. uncontaminated by the floodwaters. If you suspect
Cleaning up mould: contamination with mould or floodwaters, do not
use until these systems have been cleaned and
If you’ve decided to remove mould, ensure good
checked by a qualified person.
ventilation, wear protective clothing such as a
shower cap, rubber gloves, eye protection, overalls,
suitable footwear and a P1 or P2 face mask
Further information
(available from your hardware store). • If you or anyone in your family feels unwell,
seek medical advice from your local doctor.
For information on how to clean up and remove
mould refer to the fact sheet “Removing Mould • For further information and advice, contact
at Home” the Environmental Health section of your
local council.
Steps to minimise mould after a flood Additional resources
Mould removal efforts should focus on: Victoria
1. removing all sources of pooled water or
excessive moisture from the home • Removing mould at home, Department of
Health, Victoria.
2. removing all wet or flood damaged items, (http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/h
including wallpaper, plasterboard, carpet, azards-mould.htm)
rugs, bedding, mattresses, furniture, stuffed
toys, clothing, and other wet or damaged Australian
materials that cannot be adequately dried
or cleaned • WA Department of Health 2009, Mould.
The homeowners guide to fighting mould,
3. removing all porous (soft or absorbent) Department of Health, Government of
materials with mould growth Western Australia.
4. temporarily storing damaged or discarded (www.public.health.wa.gov.au)
items outside the home (in a safe, clean, • EMA 2005, What to do before during and
dry place such as a shed or garage) until after a flood, Emergency Management
your insurance claim is processed Australia, Attorney-General’s Department,
5. cleaning and disinfecting all affected Australian Government.
surfaces inside the house (see next page), (http://www.ema.gov.au/)
including floors, walls, the kitchen,
bathroom and laundry
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Department of Health
International
• US EPA 2008, A brief guide to mold,
moisture, and your home, United States
Environmental Protection Agency.
(http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.p
df)
• NIOSH 2009, Indoor environmental quality:
dampness and mould in buildings, National
Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, USA Government.
(http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/
mold.html)
• WHO 2009, WHO guidelines for indoor air
quality: dampness and mould, World Health
Organization.
(http://www.euro.who.int/document/E92645.
pdf)
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