‘Mould Pandemic’: How the flood crisis could create the next health crisis

Following the devastating floods and weather events in the recent weeks in Australia, many people have been left asking themselves whether as a country we will be able to handle these incidents if they become the ‘new normal’.

From where we are standing, we can see one of our next health crises in this case being a ‘mould pandemic’.

People who suffer from respiratory problems are at most at risk when their homes are infested with mould, as the mould spores make it difficult for people to breathe. Household members suffer from persistent flu-like symptoms making people with asthma extremely vulnerable.?

We are urging the Government to step up and give aid to the tremendous damage these ‘once in a thousand year’ events have caused, especially in regards to the mould problem it has and will continue to create.?

There is not a more vital time than now to understand the impacts that mould can cause on not only your physical property and belongings but more importantly on your health.?

You may have a significant mould problem if your property has been affected by flooding, severe storms and rain, or improper building infrastructures. You can spot the first signs of mould problems from dampness of?walls and/or ceilings or the persistence of?damp or musty odours.?

Some of the homes that have survived the destruction of the floods might not even been safe to move back into because of the excessive mould that will form in the coming weeks. Not only that, New South Wales suffered a similar incident the same time last year - with many people unaware they are likely living in mould-ridden houses a year on.?

At GMA we believe that in order to effectively remove and solve the mould problems, it should be done with professional care and help, however, the Government should step up to the plate and aid in this process.?

If they don’t, we are at risk of another major health crisis that will severely impact vulnerable cohorts, including our children, elderly and immuno-compromised.

The prevalent issues that arise out of situations like this is misinformation as ‘wiping away the mould’ does not solve the problem. People tend to not understand or think it is a ‘big deal’ when mould spots appear, however the ongoing impacts it has upon their lives can turn into horror stories if not handled properly.?

To explain the spread of mould simply:

‘If you leave a damp teddy bear in a toy box in a humid environment, mould will form underneath and around that point. Many people pick up the teddy, wipe the mould away and put it back. However, this does not solve the source of the issue. You must remove the teddy, dry it, effectively get rid of the mould and then you can put it back to normal.’

This can be applied to getting rid of mould in your home. Fix the problem at the source and be aware and switch on in spotting it in your home. Fix the leaking roof or pipe, get professional help in addressing the mould or it will come back.