A Brisbane man who spent three months in a coma, which he claims is the result of a significant mould infestation in his home, has confirmed he is planning legal action against his former landlord.
The man, who is 33, says the mould infestation in the home in inner Brisbane went on for two years and almost cost him his life. Earlier this month, he attended hospital with breathing difficulties. Once in hospital, his condition deteriorated to the point of requiring an emergency tracheostomy to secure his airway.
‘Apparently, I passed away for a couple of minutes, my brother told me, and then they revived and put me in a three-month medically induced coma,’ he told 7News.
The diagnosis of necrotising pancreatitis came from his treating hospital. The man explained that his ‘pancreas melted away from the bacteria. So I’ve got about 10 per cent of my pancreas left.’
The doctors who treated the man were not able to confirm his condition was the direct result of the mould exposure, but one doctor on the Sunshine Coast explained that there is a possibility following mould exposure that a patient can develop necrotising pancreatitis.
“There are some animal studies showing that various mycotoxins (toxins from mould species) can cause severe damage to the pancreas, as has happened in this case, but no more certain evidence showing a link between pancreatitis and mould exposure,” said Doctor Sandeep Gupta, who specialises in environmentally acquired illnesses. “However, I would certainly not rule out the possibility.”
The patient explained that he asked his landlord to address the mould in his Brisbane flat in August 2021, but the only action taken was to the mould-affected areas being painted. He confirmed he had approached Maurice Blackburn solicitors for a potential claim against the landlord.
Studies into CIRS, or chronic inflammatory response syndrome, also called mould biotoxin illness, indicate that there are genetic vulnerabilities in some people, which makes exposure to mould more dangerous than those who do not have the same genetic makeup.
In most people, exposure to mould can result in respiratory infections, irritation of the respiratory and sinus systems, as well as rashes, according to the Queensland workplace safety regulator, Worksafe. Severe reactions to mould exposure can include hypersensitivity pneumonitis and lung infections.
“Systemic reactions are when the mould attacks the organs. These can be life-threatening,” information from Worksafe Queensland says.