Maria Gatto

Summary: Mould is estimated to affect between 10% and 50% of Australian homes and contributes to a large part of the asthma and allergy burden in Australia. Exposure to mould has also been linked to fatigue, ear and eye conditions, sore throat, and headache. However, little is known about the mental health burden of living in mould-affected housing. With the increase in wet weather and extreme humidity due to the changing climate leading to an expected increase in the prevalence of mould, it is vital to examine how exposure to mould in the home affects all aspects of human health. Maria's research explores the prevalence and distribution of mould in Australian homes and the effects of living in mould-affected housing on people's physical and mental health. Maria’s thesis applies a mixed methods approach to investigate the mental health effects of mould and the experiences of residents whose lives are affected by mould.