Is Mould Harming Your Health?

Mould and spores are a common component of home and workplace dust.
Excessive exposure to mold-contaminated materials can cause adverse health effects in susceptible persons regardless of the type of mould or the extent of contamination.
When mould spores are present in abnormally high quantities, they can present especially hazardous health risks to humans, including allergic reactions or poisoning by mycotoxins, or causing fungal infection (mycosis)
(Wikipedia)

Who is affected

People with a compromised immune systems (often the young and the elderly) are at risk from these kind of reactions

• allergic reactions
• asthma episodes
• irritations of the eye
• nose and throat
• sinus congestion
• other respiratory problems

Testing and Treatment

There are companies that offer treatments for mould.
Mould needs three things to grow -:

• Moisture
• A Nutrient
• Warm environment

All of which are readily available on the Gold Coast.

Mould and Health Risks

It is estimated that nearly one-third of Australian homes suffer from mould or dampness issues.

The World Health Organisation states that there is no safe level of exposure to mould.

Addressing mould problems could potentially save the Australian healthcare system approximately 2.7 billion dollars over the next 20 years.

To prevent mould, homeowners should maintain indoor temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius.

Effective moisture management includes using ventilation in bathrooms and cooking areas and fixing leaks promptly.

Source: ABC Anthony Burke's by design Tue 29 Sep 2026 - How your home is silently affecting your health

Insurance for Mould Issues

Most insurance policies expressly state that they do not cover damage if the primary cause of it is mould; eg rising damp. However, most policies will pay if the mould damage is secondary to an insured event.

Most insurance policies cover damage caused by burst or leaking pipes, storm or flood damage and leaking appliances such as hot water services, dishwashers backing-up, refrigerators and showers.

Having established that the property has been damaged by an insured event, it is then necessary to prove that the mould was caused by the insured damage and the consequent water. This may sound straightforward, however establishing:

• the presence of mould at a property; and
• the likely cause of that mould,

can be very difficult.

Establishing that mould is present at a property will require an expert witness (a mycologist) to test the property for the presence of mould and give an opinion about the likely source/cause of the mould.

Source: https://www.berrillwatson.com.au/supertalk-blog/2018/september/insurance-claims-for-mould-damage/