The Dunedin hairdresser and her husband had to leave their rented house at the beginning of this year after she became seriously ill as a result of mould.
The problem had her bedridden for up to two weeks at a time and her Princes St salon was closed for two months while she recovered.
Her insurance company has spent $37,000 decontaminating the couple's possessions and even the cat had to be treated after showing signs of exposure to the mould.
''She had to be shaven right back ... She is a Persian cat, she is pretty fluffy. She looks ridiculous,'' Ms Murdoch said.
A microbiological report done on the nine-year-old property showed high levels of mould in the roof cavity and in a linen cupboard, she said.
The ventilation system was thought to have been spreading the mould around the house and the toxins were also getting into her skin via the linen.
''It got to the point where I couldn't breathe at night time. I would lie down and my lungs were actually rubbing against the cartilage of my ribcage and it was extremely painful.
''As soon as I went outside I could breathe but going back inside that house just made me feel vile again.''
Her doctor told her to check the house for signs of mould and when it was discovered, the insurance company told them they had to find somewhere else to live.
Ms Murdoch said the builder they used initially to inspect the property found water pooling in a shallow area under the house, which was responsible for dampness in the property.
Her salon was closed for about two months as a result of her health problems and she is only now returning to better health.
Ms Murdoch said she wanted to warn people about the hidden danger of mould.
The Dunedin City Council said it dealt with 30 housing complaints in 2012 and most of those were about mould.
A council spokeswoman said the issue was usually related to the building or incorrect ventilation of showers, driers or ovens.
