About this episode

This episode discusses the health impacts of mould in the home and features Dr Peter Cook, who shares insights on mould exposure and its effects on asthma and allergies.

I talk a lot about what we eat for our health. But what about the air we breathe at home? If you or your kids have asthma, constant sniffles, a lingering cough, sinus issues, or you’ve noticed damp patches and that musty smell, this episode could change how you think about your home. As a new dad, I'm personally really interested in how our home environment shapes early immune development. This conversation made me think differently about ventilation, condensation and what really matters. My guest is Dr Peter Cook , a Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellow at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter. His research looks at how airborne fungal spores interact with the immune system and drive allergic and asthmatic disease, an area that has been surprisingly neglected. In this episode, we go into: What mould actually is and when it becomes a problem What is a safe level of mould? How mould exposure can trigger asthma and allergic disease Who’s most at risk Whether mould testing kits are worth your money If dehumidifiers and air purifiers actually work Practical steps you can take this week to reduce your exposure and protect your health 🎬 Watch the podcast on…

People in this episode

Host: Dr Rupy Aujla

Guest: Dr Peter Cook

Topics covered

• mould
• health
• asthma
• allergic disease
• home environment
• immune development

Keywords

• mould
• asthma
• allergies
• immune system
• home environment
• ventilation
• dehumidifiers
• air purifiers

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Wellcome Trust, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology

Places: University of Exeter

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