Mould house family’s reprieve after ACA report

A family stuck in a house riddled with toxic black mould has been moved after A Current Affair reported their claims of ill-health.

Western Sydney public housing resident Michelle had lived with her children and her partner in the house for 12 years, and she said she had been unable to secure a move.

"My baby is three months old, he was in hospital two nights ago due to croup and continues coughing very badly," she told A Current Affair earlier this week.

Mould expert Vince Neil said the house would need extensive renovations to be made healthy.

However, after her story aired Michelle got some good news.

Housing NSW has taken action and renovated her family's bathroom.

"They ripped everything, the roof, the walls, the bath, the shower, the towels, and they've replaced it with everything brand new," she said.

"The bathroom was the worst part of the house, but now, I'd move in here."

Also following the report airing earlier in the week, the government yesterday afternoon launched an investigation into toxic mould.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport has established the inquiry, which will examine biotoxin-related illnesses in Australia.

"The inquiry will examine the prevalence, geographic distribution, diagnosis and treatment of biotoxin-related illnesses such as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)," committee chair Trent Zimmerman said.

"The Committee will also examine available research regarding CIRS and illnesses caused from water damaged buildings in Australia."

CIRS is an illness which can be caused by mould, with research suggesting up to one in four people could be genetically susceptible to it.

Specialist doctors believe CIRS can lead to a range of symptoms affecting everything from brain function to respiratory problems.

Robertson MP Lucy Wicks, who was diagnosed with CIRS after her home suffered water damage, has been pushing for an inquiry for some time.

She said she was "absolutely delighted" by the committee's decision.

"I think raising awareness of this to make sure people are aware of the possible dangers that can happen when you do get chronic mould exposure is incredibly important, and I think A Current Affair for raising this issue so publicly," she said.

For more information on the inquiry and to make a submission, visit the website.