(LEFT) Original BioScout units in greenhouse monitoring fungal spores, modified into the SMART Sensors for indoor mould particulates, will be adapted to track indoor mould (RIGHT) spores in real time. Credit: BioScout/AdobeStock.

Mould is a major indoor pollutant in Australia, thriving in damp, poorly ventilated spaces. It’s linked to various health issues and affects up to 40 percent of buildings, causing over $5 billion a year in asthma-related costs.

Despite the known risks, Associate Professor Nicholas Surawski from the UTS School of Civil and Environmental Engineering says current mould detection methods remain slow and inadequate.

“Traditional mould detection methods are labour intensive and often take weeks to deliver results which leaves vulnerable communities at risk,” A/Prof Surawski says.

“We urgently need faster, smarter tools that can provide real-time data which will enable timely, targeted interventions.”

Associate Professor Nic Surawski is an Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at UTS School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Credit: Supplied.

A/Prof Surawski is leading a new NSSN Grand Challenge Fund project which seeks to address these limitations with a transformative sensing technology.

It uses the SMART (Spore Monitoring and Reporting Technology) device developed by industry partner BioScout to detect airborne fungal crop diseases such as botrytis and downy mildew.

“This system combines automated imaging, machine learning and cloud connectivity to classify spores and monitor air quality in near real time—delivering continuous measurements with minimal human input,” A/Prof Surawski says.

Head of Science at BioScout, Dr Michelle Demers. Credit: Supplied

For the first time, researchers will adapt and validate this advanced device for indoor use by training its algorithms to accurately detect indoor mould spores among common airborne particles.

“We’re training the SMART system to detect harmful mould spores with precision – and to deliver that information in near-real time, fast enough for people to act,” Dr Michelle Demers, Head of Science at BioScout says.

“We’re excited to be a part of this project because it has the potential to help us bring rapid, accurate air quality insights where they’re needed most: in schools, homes, operating theatres, and workplaces.”

The Development of an automated spore monitoring and reporting technology project is being co-led by a research team with expertise in environmental engineering, biotechnology, and environmental health.

The team also includes Dr Peter Irga and A/Prof Fraser Torpy from UTS; Dr Margaret Davidson and Dr Sadegh Niaziesfyani from Western Sydney University; and Dror Dagan and Megan Deveson from BioScout.

Senior Lecturer in Environmental Health and Management at Western Sydney University, Dr Margaret Davidson. Credit: Supplied

Senior Lecturer in Environmental Health and Management at Western Sydney University, Dr Margaret Davidson, says access to safe, affordable housing is fundamental for health and wellbeing.

“As an occupational hygienist specialising in biological hazards, I see real-time spore sensors as a game-changer,” Dr Davidson says.

“Airborne mould levels can change rapidly, but current standard monitoring methods only capture brief snapshots (30 seconds to 30 minutes).

“Real-time sensors would allow us to track fluctuations, pinpoint sources such as hidden mould, and truly test how well our control strategies are working to make indoor environments healthier.”

NSW Smart Sensing Network Human Health Lead Catherine Oates Smith says household mould is an often hidden but serious health risk, particularly in NSW.

“For those suffering from asthma, allergies and respiratory conditions, mould can be a silent trigger that is often undetected and underestimated," Ms Oates Smith says.
“Detection and measurement can be difficult, but this technology is a game changer.”

By enabling high-resolution, near real-time data on airborne mould, the SMART device could reshape how policymakers, building managers and remediators, and health professionals respond to other indoor air quality issues.

“Mould is just the beginning. These indoor sensors have the potential to detect a range of harmful contaminants - from cement and silica dust to even asbestos,” Dr Demers says.

New tech weapon takes on toxic mould in Aussie homes