How black mould impacts health and how to get rid of it

We know living in damp conditions isn’t all that good for us, but the impact of having black mould at home can actually pose a pretty serious health risk.

BBC Panorama recently revealed over 26,000 young children were admitted to hospital last year with lung conditions potentially linked to mould and damp.

There have also been calls for stricter rules surrounding rental properties after two-year-old Awaab Ishak died because of mould at his Rochdale home in 2020, and with a recent government survey finding more than half a million rented homes have black mould issues in England it’s clear it’s an issue.

But what exactly is black mould, how can it harm health and how do you know if your home is affected?

What is black mould?

Black mould is caused by a fungus known as Strachybotris Chartarum which grows in damp situations, wet walls, carpets etc. It is recognised by black patches and causes an unpleasant musty smell.

Mould differs from mildew, another household fungus, in both appearance and texture. “Mould is typically slimy or fuzzy, while mildew tends to be white or grey with a dry, powdery texture,” explains Dr Jonathan Kirby, mould and damp expert at Dryzone.

“Additionally, mildew has a lighter, musty odour similar to damp towels, whereas mould produces a much stronger smell. Mould is also more difficult to remove as it burrows into materials, while mildew mostly grows on top of materials.”

How to spot if you have black mould in your home

Mould is commonly found in damp areas of the home with limited ventilation and often associated with bathrooms or window sills.

However, Dr Kirby says there are some less obvious hotspots for mould growth that you might not immediately think of.

1. Washing machines: Washing clothes at lower temperatures (under 40C) allows biological growth to survive in your machine and on your clothes. “Make sure to regularly wash your washing machine to ensure it isn’t harbouring harmful black mould,” Dr Kirby adds.

2. Behind furniture: Trapped air behind the furniture will cool when it meets the surface of the wall and cause condensation that can lead to mould. “Make sure to check behind sofas, bathroom mirrors and radiators that aren’t in use for signs,” Dr Kirby advises.

3. Chimney and roofs: Household mould thrives in dark, damp and humid environments, making chimneys and roofs the perfect spot for mould to grow. “The earlier you spot the signs of excess moisture and mould by regularly inspecting your chimney and roof, the easier it will be to remove growing mould,” Dr Kirby says.

4. Garages and sheds: Dr Kirby suggests regularly removing clutter and opening doors to ensure healthy air circulation and keep moisture at bay.

You can often tell it is mould by the effect it has on the surface, for example paint may bubble or peel. The affected area will also be black or green.

What impact can black mould have on health?

People living with mould are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses, infections, allergies or asthma.

“It is a health risk similar to aspergillosis affecting the lungs causing allergy or infection,” explains Stuart Sanders, GP at The London General Practice. “The symptoms include coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath.”

Sanders says you should see your doctor if you have any, or all, of these symptoms, particularly if you have been exposed to black mould.

While black mould is often associated with worsening asthma and respiratory issues, it can also affect the skin and eyes – potentially triggering conditions like eczema or conjunctivitis.

“People with a weakened immune system are potentially more sensitive to mould,” adds Dr Bhavini Shah, GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor. “Symptoms include red eyes, runny nose, wheezing, and shortness of breath.”

In rare cases, Dr Shah says mould allergies can lead to a more serious condition called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. “Similar to asthma, symptoms include wheezing and coughing and typically occur in people with respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis,” she adds.

The NHS in England spends an estimated £1.4bn every year treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp housing, according to a 2021 report from building research body BRE.

How to get rid of black mould

Ensure your home is well ventilated

Proper ventilation and humidity control play a key role in preventing and managing black mould, so Dr Shah recommends opening windows several times a day; including during daily activities such as cooking or taking a shower.

“In a fully insulated home, 19°C is the target temperature to maintain to prevent mould growth,” advises Dr Kirby. “Alongside this, you want to aim for a Relative Humidity of between 40%-60% to avoid mould-inducing conditions.”

When you have your heating on, it’s only natural to want to seal in the heat but to reduce humidity you also need to make sure your home is well-ventilated while heating it.

“This will allow old, damp air to circulate out of the home and replace it with fresh, dry air,” Dr Kirby advises. “For this reason, avoid drying clothes on radiators as this can lead to mould-inducing condensation by making it harder for air to circulate and dry out. You can also help it circulate by avoiding clutter and ventilating house plants and aquariums.”

Try a dehumidifier

Using a dehumidifier can also be effective. “Dehumidifiers help regulate indoor humidity, particularly in winter when condensation around windows becomes more noticeable,” Dr Kirby adds. “A dehumidifier can help regulate your home’s humidity, drawing moisture in and collecting it into a water tank to dry the air in your home”.

If you’re considering purchasing one, Dr Kirby recommends choosing a model with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. “A H13 HEPA filter can filter out pollen, dust mites and other allergens from the air for a cleaner living environment,” he adds.

Tackle the mould itself

If you only have a small amount of mould, you can probably remove it yourself with household products or mould remover.

Before you start, Which? recommends making sure the area is well ventilated, and wearing a mask that covers both your nose and mouth to avoid breathing in mould spores, particularly if you have allergies or breathing issues. They also suggest wearing goggles and rubber gloves.

There are several methods you could try to tackle small patches of mould:

• Distilled white vinegar

To create a mould-removing solution, Nancy Emery, cleaning expert at Drench, suggests diluting white vinegar in a spray bottle using the ratio of two parts to one part water.

“Spray the affected area and leave it to soak for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the severity, before wiping it away with a clean cloth,” she adds.

Bleach is another inexpensive mould blitzer, according to Emery. “Start by popping on a pair of gloves, cleaning the base layer of the affected area with soapy water and a sponge, scrubbing in circular motions,” she says.

“Next, mix one part bleach with nine parts warm water and apply the solution to the mould patches with the same sponge. Let this sit for around five minutes, and then rinse away with clean, warm water.

“If there is still some mould residue left, repeat the process leaving the bleach to soak for 5 minutes longer at a time. You should see the mould disappear in an hour.”

• Mould remover

These are pre-made solutions are widely available from most supermarkets, online and in some DIY shops.

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