Leading environmental health authority Jeff Charlton will deliver a keynote talk at the BSEM Training Day: Ecological Approaches to Healthy Homes, taking place in June 2025.
Drawing on over 40 years of hands-on experience, Jeff will explore the links between environmental hazards like toxic mould and chronic illness — sharing practical, ecological interventions that can significantly improve indoor health.
His career began at St George’s Hospital in the 1970s as a Technician in Medical Physics and Nuclear Medicine, before transitioning into the British Army, where he applied his technical training in complex field environments. This paved the way for a high-profile international career in decontamination.
Jeff’s projects have ranged from post-flood and fire restoration to chemical and biological clean-ups. He has led major operations across the UK and abroad, including the high-stakes decontamination of the Emir’s Palace in Kuwait after the Gulf War — a project that later led to training roles in the US for military contractors.
In the UK, Jeff founded Building Forensics and The British Damage Management Association, both of which have become key voices in identifying and tackling mould and building-related illnesses. He has presented findings to the House of Commons and played an advisory role in flood response legislation.
A life-changing moment came when his daughter fell seriously ill with leukaemia. During her treatment, Jeff uncovered toxic mould in her home — a potential contributor to her condition. That experience became the driving force behind his campaign to raise awareness of environmental triggers of illness.
To address the lack of accessible testing, he created Mould Lab, which provides both advanced analysis and DIY mould detection kits, helping families identify risks often overlooked by conventional medicine.
Even when facing institutional pushback, including a police interview, Jeff has continued to campaign for better recognition of environmentally acquired illnesses. He remains an active Founding Member of the International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness, a respected voice in the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, and a contributor to several peer-reviewed studies.
At the BSEM event, Jeff Charlton will make the case for stronger collaboration between medicine and environmental science. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into diagnosing and preventing hidden household hazards using ecological principles.
