How bad is black mould for your health? We asked the experts

It’s not pretty, but is it dangerous?

We all fear the dreaded black mould in our homes come winter. But how toxic is the fungi?

Even if you’re the most laid back, easy going person who doesn’t care about the state of their home, black mould is rarely something we could, or should, look past. 

No matter how much effort we dedicate to keeping windows open, exhaust fans on and limiting the humidity in our homes, winter often brings mould back again and again. 

Not only does the fungi make an unsightly addition to well-decorated homes, it’s also linked to a multitude of health issues. 

Who's at risk of mould-related illnesses?

Fungi, including mould, are everywhere, but according to NSW Health, ‘most people will not experience any health problems from coming into contact with mould. Everyone breaths in mould spores and most people have no symptoms.’

Most varieties don’t bother us, but some can induce allergic reactions and cause infections.

Symptoms of mould allergies

Symptoms of these can include eye irritation, a blocked or runny nose, wheezing or asthma attacks, but rare severe infections, usually as a result of breathing in spores over a long period of time, can cause lung inflammation.

Those associated with S. chartarum are typically cited as the reason black mould can be so harmful to our health. Image: iStock

How harmful is black mould?

The toxic black mould often discussed as detrimental to our health is called Stachybotrys chartarum (S. chartarum). 

Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by fungi, and those associated with S. chartarum are typically cited as the reason black mould can be so harmful to our health. 

But as the University of Adelaide’s senior pharmacology lecturer, Ian Musgrave, writes in The Conversation, this fear is likely based on a flawed report from the 1990s suggesting that these toxins were to blame for cases of a rare disease causing blood to leak into children’s lungs. 

This isn't to say the mould can't still cause harm.

He notes that his type of mould doesn’t release a great deal of spores, so it's unlikely that enough mycotoxins could be inhaled to cause lung damage. 

The fungi's spores instead usually remain in the slimy spots we see on our walls, ceilings and showers.

This isn't to say the mould can't still cause harm. 

If you are allergic to mould or have asthma, exposure to S. chartarum can trigger symptoms. Image: Getty

If you are allergic to mould or have asthma, exposure to S. chartarum can trigger symptoms, and people who are immunocompromised may be at risk of infections from mould. There are also some rare allergy-related illnesses linked to mould exposure, but the fungi are otherwise unlikely to make you particularly sick.

Mould is never a great addition to any home though, so even if you don’t have an allergy, it’s a good idea to get cleaning or have a professional come around to get rid of it.

Types of mould

In addition to black mould, other variants of the fungi could pop up throughout your house this season, including green, orange or pink types. 

Green mould is dusty or fuzzy and often ruins your newly purchased produce. Image: iStock

Green mould is dusty or fuzzy and often ruins your newly purchased produce. Its toxicity differs between variants, but some types of green mould have been linked to skin and brain infections.

Orange mould is more slimy and lumpy and can be found on wood and food products, particularly those in damp or humid areas.

Pink mould is easily confused with soap residue in our showers. This variety is actually a bacteria, and is usually found in poorly ventilated areas.

Figuring out how best to approach cleaning mould can be tricky, as different approaches are required depending on the mould type and surface it's growing on.

How to clean mould

Figuring out how best to approach cleaning mould can be tricky, as different approaches are required depending on the mould type and surface it's growing on.

Bleach or hydrogen peroxide can be enough to completely kill mould in some cases, but you may need to call a professional to kill larger, more established infestations.

You can read more on the different types of mould and how to rid your house of them for good here.

Originally published as How bad is black mould for your health? We asked the experts