Mould is something many of us think of as little more than an inconvenience, but for some people it can have a profound impact on their health. In this episode of the Let’s Talk MCAS Podcast, Deborah Bircham is joined by Lisa Malyon, founder of Indoor Air Aware and the UK Centre for Mould Safety, to explore the growing evidence around indoor mould exposure and why it matters, particularly for people living with complex chronic illnesses such as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Drawing on her own family's experience of mould-related illness, Lisa shares the events that led her to establish Indoor Air Aware and create the Mums vs. Mould community, which now supports thousands of people navigating the challenges of unhealthy indoor environments. Together, Deborah and Lisa discuss the wide-ranging health effects that can be associated with mould exposure, why some people appear to be more susceptible than others, and the role that genetics may play in determining individual risk.
The conversation also tackles common misconceptions about mould remediation, explaining why simply cleaning visible mould is often not enough, and offers practical guidance on assessing indoor environments, testing for mould, and reducing exposure safely and effectively.
Whether you are living with MCAS, supporting someone with a chronic illness, or simply want to better understand the health implications of damp and mould, this episode provides an informative and thought-provoking discussion. It also shines a light on the urgent need for greater public awareness, more research, and improved housing standards to help protect people's health.
Indoor Air Aware: https://www.indoorairaware.co.uk/
UK Centre for Mould Safety: https://training.ukcms.org/home
Mums v Mould FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/347649538392335
