Employers and homeowners should take the threat of toxic mould seriously, say local experts.

Bermuda's hot and humid conditions provide an ideal environment for moulds to thrive and for thousands of residents the health effects could be severe.

Dr. Jonathan Murray who runs the Bermuda Wellness Centre and the Allergy Centre of Bermuda told The Royal Gazette that he sees between seven and ten people a week with allergies and about 70 percent of them test positive for mould.

"We see a lot of hay fever type symptoms, asthma type symptoms, skin rashes and also abdominal gas, diarrhoea and cramps," he said.

Ideally homes should be fitted with dehumidifiers, air conditioners, air purifiers and closet heaters to prevent their growth.

Carpets should be abandoned in favour of wooden floors or tiling, added Dr. Murray.

According to Jenefer Brimmer, president of Thermax/Asthma and Allergy Relief Centre, which has been providing environmental control products to Bermuda and the Caribbean for the past ten years, such preventative measures in the workplace will be good for business.

"A lot of employers think it's going to hurt the bottom line but that's a myth because if you have workers who are sick they are not productive," she said. "It's quite evident mould is a big problem."

This week news emerged that certain buildings at the Police headquarters in Prospect had tested positive for toxic mould in the environment. The tests had been requested by officers who had suspected the buildings of causing mysterious illnesses.

The Police department has said that it is working with the Works and Engineering department to address the problems and find alternative accommodations for the affected officers in the meantime.

Dr. Murray said that the officers' homes should also be tested for mould and their diets checked out.

"I don't think they should be alarmed but I think they should be concerned," he said. "If people do think there's mould and it's affecting them then they should ask their own managers to have the place tested."

He couldn't say what percentage of people here have mould allergies but he said many new residents develop the allergies two or three years after arrival.