An Interview with Mirthe Eckl
1. Can you tell us about your background and what led you to specialise in mould toxicity and environmental illness? I came to Functional Medicin...
Mould is a microscopic fungus that breaks down dead organic material. It grows in damp and poorly ventilated areas by releasing thousands of tiny spores. Detecting mould can be challenging as it often hides out of sight or presents itself as stains, smudges, or discolouration. The most common mould colours are black, green, and white, though this can vary depending on the mould's age or environmental conditions.
Black Mould - commonly found in wet areas, such as bathrooms, and on the exterior of cold walls within habitable spaces like bedrooms and living rooms. Aspergillus - found in air conditioning systems, soil, and building materials like drywall. Cladosporium - most commonly found in bathrooms, under sinks, and around faucets. However, it can also grow on surfaces such as carpets, furniture, walls and floors.Penicillium - found on old mattresses, cushions, carpet and insulation.
Condensation is the leading cause of mould in the United Kingdom. When the air cools, water vapour turns into water droplets as it comes into contact with surfaces below a temperature known as the dew point. If left untreated, these surfaces can become damp and create ideal conditions for mould to grow. This is most common in moisture-prone areas of the home, such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, and around windows. Mould growth can also result from ineffective home waterproofing, such as leaking roofs or walls, as well as faulty plumbing.
There are two main ways to detect mould Smell It: Mould often gives off an earthy or musty odour. See It: Mould can appear in various colours, but it most commonly presents as black or green 'fuzz'. Other visual signs of mould include stains, buckling, peeling or other signs of water seepage through walls or ceilings. However, mould thrives in hidden areas such as wall cavities, air conditioning systems, and insulation, making it difficult to detect with the naked eye. That's where we come in. Making the invisible visible, so you can be confident your home and loved ones are protected from the health risks associated with mould.
Mould and mildew are different types of fungi, but they have different characteristics. For example, mildew is usually flat and grey in appearance to begin with, but will mutate to be green/yellow the longer it’s left. Mould, on the other hand, has a more 3D appearance and can be fuzzy, or even cotton-like, with bolder colours. Both mould and mildew can be dangerous, although mould is more likely to spread quickly.
Mould produces odours that are not pleasant and can have a wide range of smells that can be quite pungent. Mould can smell musty like clothes left in the washing machine for too long, earthy like damp soil, and damp or soggy. If mould is left too long to grow, it may also smell tangy or sour.
Mould is absolutely a fungus, but the terms are interchangeable; however, not all fungi are mould. Mould is a group of microscopic fungal organisms called hyphae, which spread in a network called a mycelium, which is what you see when you look at mould.
Yes, although damp can enable the growth of mould, as it is defined as unwanted moisture, meaning it is the perfect condition for mould to grow. This means that by fixing damp in your home, you can often prevent mould.
Mould is most likely to grow in environments where there are high levels of moisture or poor ventilation. Some of the most common rooms in the home that mould grows in are kitchens, bathrooms, basements, internal porches and attics.
Most common moulds in the UK aren’t immediately fatal and are unlikely to cause death, however, in some cases, it can cause skin irritation and rashes, as well as trigger allergies in some people. Ingesting mould can also cause gastrointestinal issues like sickness and diarrhoea.
We’d recommend thoroughly washing your hands immediately with warm water and antibacterial soap, and monitoring symptoms. If rash-like symptoms occur, we’d recommend contacting your GP.
