Latest news with #damp
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The area of the UK where you're likely to be living with 'silent killer' that slowly destroys the lungs
An alarming new study has revealed the parts of the UK with the highest numbers of residents affected by deadly house mould. Topping the list were homes in the North West, with nearly four times the incidences of severe mould and damp, compared to the least affected area—the East Midlands. London was a close second, with more than 6,000 complaints of severe mould and damp made by both private and social housing residents in 2024. The research, which analysed freedom of information requests made to local councils, also revealed a staggering rise in recurring mould and damp over the last year across the UK. Between 2023 and 2024, reported cases of unresolved problems more than doubled to 13,781. In total, local councils in Britain received 25,134 complaints about mould and damp in 2024, marking a 35.06 per cent increase from the previous year. In response to the lack of progress in tackling Britain's 'mould epidemic', experts have called for the health impacts to be taken more seriously. Inhaling mould spores can trigger allergies, asthma attacks, respiratory infections that cause lung disease and, in severe cases, death. Those most at risk of the health impacts of mould are those most at risk in society: babies, children, and older people. In December 2020, two year-old Awaab Ishak died after prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home. He lived in a one-bedroom flat with his father and stepmother. The family reported the mould problem to the housing association that provided the flat—Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH)—three years before the little boy's death, but was advised to 'paint over it'. In June 2020, Awaab's father hit the landlords with a legal claim over the recurring mould, but repairs had to wait until the case was settled. Awaab was taken to Rochdale Urgent Care Centre on 19 December that year with shortness of breath, and died a few days later. Speaking of the new findings, Dr Alexis Missick, a GP working with online prescription service UK Meds, which collected the data, said: 'Mould is more than just an eyesore, it can be extremely harmful, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions like asthma. 'Prolonged exposure to damp and mould can lead to persistent coughing, wheezing, and skin irritation. In more severe cases, it can cause long-term damage to lung health. 'With complaints rising so sharply, it's clear that action is needed at both local and national levels. 'We urge councils, landlords, and tenants to prioritise early prevention, proper ventilation, and swift intervention where mould is discovered.' The study analysed data from freedom of information requests to councils about mould and damp complaints in both private and social housing. The researchers found a stark difference between regions regarding the number of complaints, as well as the number of unresolved cases. The culprit behind mould is too much moisture and in buildings this can be caused by several factors. This includes leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames, and condensation. Mould and damp are commonly found in old buildings, but a newly built home may be damp if the water used in the plaster on the walls is still drying out. This latest study follows several high profile cases in which mould resulted in life-threatening complications. Matthew Langsworth, 32, has developed a potentially deadly infection after inhaling mould spores that were 'hidden' in his home In January this year, reports surfaced of a 32 year-old man who developed a life-threatening blood infection caused by mould, after living in a fungus-infected property where spores were 'covered up' with paint. Matthew Langsworth, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire became so breathless 'he could barely walk'. The condition called invasive aspergillosis can be caused by inhaling fungal spores which consequently spread from the lungs to the blood and other areas of the body. Last year, it triggered a collapsed lung which resulted in potentially-deadly sepsis. He said he spent a decade flagging black mould in the bathroom, kitchen and bedroom to his landlord, which he claims was 'redecorated over'. Mr Langsworth claimed that doctors suspect mould exposure is behind his health issues. He said he's faced with the choice of 'dying or being homeless'—as the flat, which is subsidised by the local council, is deemed 'fit for living' by officials. The social housing provider in his case, Stonewater, claimed they replaced the 'entirety of his bathroom and kitchen' following a leak in 2023 and more recently installed new flooring. They said a survey done in January this year, found mould on the shower curtain, the bathroom sink waste overflow and in the washing machine powder drawer They also discovered that the extractor fan in the bathroom wasn't working, but claim that had not been reported to them previously.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Retired bus driver enlists of lawyers to solve mould issues in his home
A retired bus driver from Bolton has told how he sought legal help following a serious damp and mould issue that he feared would impact his wife's health. Douglas Lee, 67, who has osteoarthritis and psoriasis, lives with his wife Rosina, 77, in a one-bedroom flat managed by Bolton At Home. Douglas and Rosina Lee. (Image: Liberay Legal) The couple say they first noticed damp and mould issues in 2022, several years after moving in, with patches forming on the walls in their hallway and bathroom. They said made repeated complaints. The couple first noticed the damp issues in 2022. (Image: Liberay Legal) Douglas said: 'I had more people come into the flat to take photos than I care to think of, and off they would trot, never to be heard from again. Douglas claims that he was complaining for around a year before seeking legal action. (Image: Liberay Legal) 'My wife has COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), which causes breathing problems." He was worried she would get the spores from the mould on her chest. After almost a year of living in the property and fearing for Rosina's health, Douglas contacted Liberay Legal, a specialist housing disrepair law firm. The firm arranged for a surveyor to assess the house. Numerous issues were found at the property following an investigation. (Image: Liberay Legal) The couple say the investigation revealed a long-standing leak behind the shower. The surveyor also used a drone to capture evidence of blocked guttering. Following Liberay Legal's intervention, Bolton At Home finally completed the necessary remedial jobs" target="_blank">work, stripping and replastering affected walls, regrouting bathroom tiles and installing new skirting boards. The works were completed by Bolton At Home in December, two months after the company officially agreed to carry out the works. The final works were completed in December. (Image: Liberay Legal) Douglas also received compensation, which helped him clear rent arrears, and the housing association recently contacted him to install a wet room in the bathroom. 'Liberay kept fighting for us and made sure the work got done,' Douglas said. 'Without them, I'd probably still be waiting. Now, my wife and I can live in a home that's actually fit for us.' Joann Cameron, Litigation Executive from Liberay Legal, said: 'Sadly, Douglas and Rosina's experience is not unique. 'One in ten social rented homes in the UK are classed as 'non-decent,' leaving tenants struggling with conditions that can seriously harm their health. 'Too often, housing associations dismiss complaints or delay action, leaving residents to suffer for years.'
Washington Post
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
The ocean is swallowing San Francisco in this curious novel
Bay Area rain has an insidious way of creeping into the bones — of people, of buildings. When I lived there, my bathroom maintained a clammy topicality, even in drought months. Once, a strip of paint and damp plaster peeled off the wall and exposed its innards, confirming my worst fear: that the whole house was largely glued together by black mold. There was an inevitably to it as sure as there was to the damp, the kind of ongoing apocalypse that you can only live with, never really prevent.
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
‘My grandkids have breathing problems': Dublin City Council tenants protest over damp and mould issues in flats
Michelle Courtney (56) has lived in the Emmet Buildings flat complex on Watling Street in Dublin 8 all her life, first with her parents and now in a flat of her own. Her mother died at 67 after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia. 'I'd say a lot of it was down to the mould in her bedroom,' says Courtney. Her daughter now lives in the flat Courtney grew up in. The mould and damp has affected Courtney and her children's health too, she says. 'My two grandkids have breathing problems,' she says. 'The youngest little fella has asthma and eczema. The bedroom he was sleeping in was covered in black mould.' READ MORE Michelle Courtney Her story is not unique. A survey carried out by researchers at Maynooth University and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found chronic mould and dampness, as well as faulty windows and insufficient insulation in the majority of the Emmet Buildings flats. The door-to-door survey of residents in the Dublin 8 complex was carried out between October 2024 and January 2025. [ Children missing school because of mould and damp in flat complexes, Dáil hears Opens in new window ] Of those surveyed 82 per cent reported that the windows and doors in their flats were old and need replacing, and that this was contributing to condensation, damp and mould growth. Sixty-two per cent said the mould, damp and difficulty heating the flats was affecting their health, with many reporting respiratory problems such as asthma, chest infections and COPD. Tony Doonan (81) has been living in the complex for 30 years. He says his single-glazed windows have faulty handles and gaps in the seals. Drafts enter, bringing cold at night and morning, he says. Doonan suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and vascular disease. He has a letter from his doctor to Dublin City Council in support of his application for double-glazed windows. 'Cold weather and draughty, cold living conditions increase his risk of infection and hence hospitalisation,' the September 2024 letter reads. Doonan is waiting to hear from the council about his windows being changed. 'I'm not the only one that needs these windows,' he says. 'The rest of the residents who can't afford to buy their own windows do need them, you know. And in this day and age, we should all have triple glaze.' The council needs to be standing up and saying: 'This is not acceptable', and putting pressure on central Government — Fiadh Tubridy of the Community Action Tenants Union The residents of Emmet Buildings joined Dublin City Council tenants from across the city on Monday to protest over their living conditions and the poor maintenance of their flats. Fiadh Tubridy is one of the authors of the report on conditions at Emmet Buildings and a member of the Community Action Tenants Union (CATU), which organised the protest. 'Very similar issues are coming up in a lot of council estates across Dublin'. 'Really common problems like damp and mould and high energy costs are not getting the investment that they really urgently need,' says Tubridy. A recurrent issue the union sees is that the council cannot afford to retrofit flat complexes unless the block is part of a regeneration project. 'Regeneration depends on central Government funding, and that funding is just not coming through, which is obviously a Department of Housing issue. So, to some extent, the council is limited in what it can do,' he says. 'But the council also needs to be standing up and saying: 'This is not acceptable', and putting pressure on central Government.' Tubridy says he hopes protests such as this at Dublin City Hall provide the council with 'leverage' to tell the Government that 'people are not happy' and funding is needed.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Disturbing selfies reveal horrific impact of 'silent killer' that could be lurking in your home
A mother has revealed the alarming effect that exposure to household damp and mould had on her face—resulting in dramatically swollen lips and cheeks. Joanna Hayes, 42, and her two-year-old daughter broke out in painful red rashes, blisters and extreme swelling, which they believe are linked to the grim state of their home. Ms Hayes, from Worcestershire, was forced to call an ambulance earlier this year, when she struggled to breathe and almost lost consciousness. Doctors at the hospital confirmed she was having an extreme allergic reaction to mould spores in her home. This can happen when microscopic fungi particles in the air are inhaled, triggering the over-reaction of the immune system. Ms Hayes and her daughter moved into the two-bedroom council flat in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, last June but within months the property was engulfed by black spores. Disturbing images show mould spreading across the walls as well as shoes in the bottom of a cupboard. Mushrooms were also visibly growing on the sofa in the damp living room. The charity worker is now too scared to enter the property and she and her daughter have been forced to sleep in their car. 'Soon after we moved in, we noticed shadows on the walls and black mould,' she said. 'I initially treated it myself but the mould got worse and worse the colder it got to the point where the wallpaper was falling off. 'When the wet weather set in, the damp and mould became more and more obvious. 'When I open my daughter's bedroom door in the morning, a huge wave of freezing cold air hits me. 'There is a big patch of mould in the living room and even mould under the bed. It is everywhere.' Mould tends to thrive in warm, humid environments and can be hard to spot in your home. In England, approximately two million people are living in homes with significant damp and/or mould, official figures suggest. It is estimated up to 1,250 deaths in the UK every year are attributed to black mould exposure. While there aren't specific figures for the number of children who have died from the dangerous fungi, one poignant case is that of two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in December 2020 after exposure to mould in his home. The spores in the one-bedroom housing association flat where he lived with his parents in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, triggered a deadly respiratory condition. Mr Abdullah repeatedly raised the issue with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) but no action was taken. RBH said it was 'truly sorry' for Awaab's death. Ms Hayes is now demanding Community Housing, which owns the flat, to destroy the mould or find her a new home. She added: 'I reported it to Community Housing and the team did a mould wash, but it didn't work and it just keeps coming back. 'Me and my daughter have started to suffer endless chest infections and ENT issues so my two-year-old needs an inhaler. 'She shouldn't need an inhaler at two, she's just exhausted.' The mother described paramedics' shock at the state of her home when they arrived to take her to hospital earlier this year. She said: 'I told the paramedics about the mould and they went into my daughter's room. They said the conditions were unacceptable. 'The reaction made me realise that something sinister is going on in the flat and the mould spores are having a physical impact on my health. 'I'm in fear for my life and I can't risk dropping down dead in the property and leaving my two-year-old to fend for herself.' She is currently having allergy tests conducted by the GP, but they have advised her to leave the property due to the health risks. Signs of mould at home can often go undetected, but it often involves fuzzy black, white, green or black patches on the walls, and a damp and musty smell. Inhaling or touching the spores that mould releases into the air can cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and a skin rash. Mould can also trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory problems, cause coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. The microscopic fungus causes these conditions by releasing thousands of toxic particles into the atmosphere. Ms Hayes said: 'My daughter has been a little trooper throughout all of this, but I need to think of her and I don't know where else to turn. 'I feel like we've been abandoned by Community Housing.' Community Housing has apologised for the conditions in her flat and said it will continue to support her to feel 'safe and well' in her home. A spokesperson said: 'We are sorry that Ms Hayes has been experiencing problems with damp and mould in her home. 'We have been working closely with her to rectify the problem and deal with other repairs she has reported. 'We have further works planned to treat the affected areas and have kept Ms Hayes informed of the progress of this. 'We will continue to support her and carry out repairs to enable her to feel safe and well in her home.'
