Settlement Guide: Mould’s hidden health hazard

settlement guide

Getting rid of mould could be more difficult than you think Source: Getty Images/Heiko Küverling.

Mould is common in Australian homes as it thrives in warm, moist environments, especially in areas of above average humidity. Recent severe rainfalls and floods that ravaged various parts of Australia’s eastern coast could be followed by an unprecedented spread of mould, which can cause dangerous health problems.


The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that mould is present in up to fifty per cent of Australian homes and it can cause serious health problems to people exposed to it, even for a short period.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) vice-president Dr Chris Moy says the most vulnerable are people suffering from allergies, an existing respiratory problem, or a weakened immune system.

Most flood-affected areas in Queensland and Northern NSW are highly vulnerable to mould growth and removing it could be risky, costly, and better left to the professionals, experts suggest.


 


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