How to deal with mould outbreaks this winter
<p dir="ltr">The recent downpour of rain mixed with humid temperatures has led to nation-wide mould outbreaks in many homes. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Toxic mould can take a toll on your health, and hijack hidden corners of your home without you even realising. </p>
<p dir="ltr">In order to reproduce, mould produces tiny particles called spores that are carried in the air and may cause health problems if inhaled by people who are sensitive or allergic to them, <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/mould.aspx">NSW Health advises</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Experts have shared how to spot mould in your home, as well as how to clean it and prevent it from coming back. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>What exactly is mould?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/mould.aspx">Mould</a> is a type of fungi, an organism from the same group that includes yeast and mushrooms, which is present virtually everywhere both indoors and outdoors.</p>
<p dir="ltr">When airborne mould spores land on damp spots indoors, they may begin to grow and spread.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Mould thrives in moist areas that are not adequately ventilated, with rooms such as laundries, bathrooms most at risk, as well as walls and ceilings that don’t receive direct sunlight. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Wet weather, increased humidity, and flood damage have seen households across the country battling recent mould outbreaks in their homes.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>How do I stop mould from growing in my house?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Experts say that prevention is much more effective than mould removal, with the key being to keep your home dry and dust-free.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Fix any structural damage</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">Leaks in roofs, full gutters and leaky appliances are all things that will bring mould into your home. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Fixing these issues as soon as they arise is vital, as you want to aim to keep the main structure of your home free of any spontaneous leaks.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“If you do notice any leaks, get on top of that immediately because dried mould can still become easily airborne,” consultation microbiologist Dr Cameron Jones told <a href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/mould-is-coming-back-with-a-vengeance-heres-how-to-tackle-the-outbreak-c-6840176">7News</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“That’s how people can become quite ill from mould which has dried inside roof voids and dried on insulation - and then it enters into the home around the perimeters and downlights.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ventilation is key</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">Keeping your home well ventilated is your best bet when preventing the growth of mould. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Jones says that for good ventilation in the home, you can try, “opening windows, and making sure that ceiling fans in wet areas like laundries and bathrooms are on and working.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“As soon as the weather is good, you should start opening your windows and get some ventilation through,” Institute for Infectious Diseases Professor Dee Carter told 7News.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Drying things out is really key or it’ll just come back.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Some air conditioners have a handy dry mode, while portable dehumidifiers also work to draw in extra moisture from the air.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cut condensation</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">Use extractor fans in the kitchen while cooking, and in the bathroom and laundry while washing.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Reducing the condensation in your home can also be as simple as popping a lid on your saucepan when boiling water, and opening windows when you’re creating steam within the house.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If you see condensation building on walls and inner windows, wipe it up before it has the chance to encourage growth of mould.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Getting rid of mould</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">For a routine clean-up of mould, NSW Health suggests using mild detergent or vinegar.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Bleach can be used on non-porous surfaces such as tiles and in bathrooms but is not recommended for materials like wood or drywall.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Mould has roots that it sends deep into porous materials, so antibacterial agents work best to attack the roots as well as the surface of the fungi.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If you see a spot of mould in one particular place, it’s always best to do a clean sweep of the entire room to see if it is hiding anywhere else. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Move all your furniture away from the wall and check hidden crevices. </p>
<p dir="ltr">There’s nothing worse than thinking your cleaning job is done and then finding a huge mouldy patch behind your lounge or bed frame. </p>
<p dir="ltr">In order to stop your furniture being attacked by pesky mould, try to keep your furniture an inch or two out from the wall. </p>
<p dir="ltr">This will stop the mould transferring from walls to surfaces such as fabric that are harder to clean. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Can mould be killed permanently?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Even if you successfully get rid of mould in one area, you’ll need to maintain the conditions of your home continuously to discourage regrowth.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Mould can grow wherever there is moisture source, the correct temperature, and something to grow on,” Jones said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Cellular debris and the food and liquid waste” are also used as a food source by “the pathogens, which are normally around us all the time”, Jones said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If mould grows in a spot once, it can grow there again. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Is mould harmful to humans?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">A 2018 inquiry by the University of Melbourne recommended that the Department of Health undertake further research into the potential health effects of mould exposure and its prevalence in the built environment.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.mouldlab.com.au/">MouldLab</a> defined biotoxins at the time as including “toxic chemicals found on spores, fine or ultrafine fragments of mould or fungus … that are able to be released into the air”.</p>
<p dir="ltr">They stated that some people are “genetically susceptible” and may develop inflammation and chronic illness after coming into contact with these biotoxins.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Reported <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/black-mold-exposure#symptoms">symptoms of mould exposure</a> include coughing, wheezing, stuffiness, red or itchy eyes, skin rashes, and a sore throat.</p>
<p dir="ltr">These symptoms can be more severe if you have an allergy to mould.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>
