This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63642856

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Mould at home: How dangerous is it and what can be done? Black mould: How dangerous is it in the home and how can it be treated?
(6 months later)
Exposure to mould in the home can be damaging to your health. Exposure to mould can cause respiratory illnesses, allergies and asthma, and can sometimes be fatal.
An inquest found that two-year-old Awaab Ishak died as a result of a severe respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home in Rochdale. In 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died after prolonged exposure to mould in his home in Rochdale.
But what exactly is mould, when is it harmful, and what can be done about it in your house? Under new government proposals, dubbed "Awaab's law", social housing landlords in England could be forced to repair mouldy properties much more quickly.
What is mould? What is black mould?
Mould is a microscopic fungus that grows in damp places. Mould spores are found everywhere, and are released in their thousands into the atmosphere. Mould - sometimes referred to using the American spelling mold - is a microscopic fungus that grows in damp places.
Mould spores are found everywhere, and are released in their thousands into the atmosphere.
Signs of mould at home include fuzzy black, white or green patches on the walls, and a damp and musty smell.Signs of mould at home include fuzzy black, white or green patches on the walls, and a damp and musty smell.
Mould and damp in houses is more dangerous when temperatures drop in the winter. How dangerous is black mould?
How can mould affect your health?
People living with mould are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses, infections, allergies or asthma.People living with mould are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses, infections, allergies or asthma.
Mould can emit spores, cells, fragments and "volatile organic compounds" into the air. 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.
Inhaling or touching these spores can cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. Mould can also trigger asthma attacks and cause coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.
Moulds can also trigger asthma attacks and cause coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. Each year, the NHS in England spends an estimated £1.4bn on treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp housing, according to building research body BRE.
"[Even] people who don't have asthma can develop an allergic response," according to Dr Andy Whittamore, a GP who works with the charity Asthma and Lung UK. Those more at risk from mould include the elderly, children and babies, as well as people with existing respiratory illnesses and some skin problems.
"In some cases, mould can be breathed in and can be found growing in the lungs - it can be life-threatening." Two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould in his home
Those more at risk include the elderly, children and babies, people with existing respiratory illnesses and people with some skin problems. What causes mould in houses and how can it be treated?
Mould can also be more dangerous for people with a weakened immune system, either due to illness or because of medicines they are taking.
What causes mould in buildings?
Condensation is the leading cause of mould in homes across the UK.Condensation is the leading cause of mould in homes across the UK.
It most commonly occurs in parts of the home where there are high moisture levels - in bathrooms, kitchens, and around windows. It most commonly occurs in parts of the home where there are high moisture levels: bathrooms, kitchens, and around windows.
When the temperature falls to a level known as the dew point, water vapour in the air forms into water droplets. When air cools, water vapour forms into water droplets as it comes into contact with surfaces in the home that are below a temperature known as the dew point.
If water vapour comes into contact with a surface in the home that's below the dew point, such as an uninsulated external wall or a cold window, then water droplets will form. These surfaces can include uninsulated external walls or windows.
If left untreated, the surface can become damp and create the conditions for mould to grow.If left untreated, the surface can become damp and create the conditions for mould to grow.
Catherine Noakes, professor of Environment Engineering for Buildings at the University of Leeds, said older and poorly insulated properties are more prone to this. Older and poorly insulated properties are more prone to this.
Mould can also be caused by daily tasks which create excess moisture. Mould can also be caused by daily tasks which create excess moisture such as showering, cooking and drying washing indoors.
"Sometimes it's occupant behaviour - things that we all do and we cannot change," Prof Noakes said. Taking shorter showers and wiping down surfaces afterwards can help, as can improving ventilation, and opening kitchen windows or using an extractor fan when cooking.
"We all shower, we all cook, and we all dry washing at home." It is also important to check for leaky pipes or gutters which can make the problem worse.
Prof Noakes warned that mould conditions could be made worse this winter if people don't put on the heating because of high energy bills. What rights do tenants have if their home has mould?
Private and social landlords have a responsibility to make sure homes are safe and in good repair.
In private and social rental properties, it is the landlord's responsibility to fix a mould problem which is due to poor maintenance, according to the housing charity Shelter.
If the mould is so bad that your home becomes unfit for habitation, then you could be classed as homeless and entitled to emergency accommodation.
But landlords may not be responsible if there is evidence a tenant has not been ventilating the home correctly.
Mayor pledges to tackle rogue landlords
What does Awaab Ishak's death tell us about England's housing?What does Awaab Ishak's death tell us about England's housing?
Six tips for cutting home energy bills this winter Who was Awaab Ishak?
Mould growing in the home of Awaab Ishak, who died aged two Awaab Ishak died shortly after his second birthday
How to prevent mould In December 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died after prolonged exposure to mould in his home.
In severe cases, Prof Noakes said there are limits to what occupants can do. He lived in a one-bedroom flat in Rochdale with his father Faisal Abdullah and Faisal's wife Aisha Amin.
However, in less serious cases, there are things that can help, from taking shorter showers to improving ventilation in the property. Mr Abdullah reported mould developing in the flat to his housing association, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), in 2017, but was told to paint over it.
"The shorter the shower, the less moisture there is," Prof Noakes said. In June 2020, he instructed solicitors to issue a claim over the recurring mould, but any repairs could not be done until the case was settled.
She also suggests wiping down the shower afterwards, rather than leaving the water to evaporate. Awaab was taken to Rochdale Urgent Care Centre on 19 December that year with shortness of breath, and died a few days later after suffering respiratory and cardiac arrest.
Open kitchen windows or use an extractor fan when cooking. What would landlords have to do about mould under "Awaab's law"?
It is also important to check for obvious problems such as leaky pipes or gutters which could be contributing to the problem. The government has announced plans to ensure social housing providers in England address hazards such as damp and mould more quickly.
What rights do tenants have? Social landlords would have to investigate issues within 14 days and begin fixing them within a further seven days. Emergency repairs would have to be made within 24 hours.
Private and social landlords have a responsibility to make sure homes are fit for habitation. Landlords who fail to comply could be taken to court and ordered to pay compensation.
If you are living in a rented property, it is the landlord's responsibility to fix a mould problem if it is caused by poor maintenance, according to the housing charity Shelter. A consultation on the proposals closes on 5 March.
"Where the mould is caused by disrepair or the property is unfit for habitation - for example, as a result of damp or condensation caused by poor insulation or faulty heating or ventilation systems - then it is the landlord's responsibility to fix it," said John Gallagher, from the charity. After this, the government says it will bring Awaab's Law into force "as soon as practically possible".
If the mould is so bad that it makes your home unfit for habitation, then you could be classed as homeless and entitled to emergency accommodation, he added. What is the position in the rest of the UK?
But Mr Gallagher said if there is evidence a tenant is not ventilating the home correctly, then the landlord may not be responsible. In Wales, the director of Housing and Regeneration asked social landlords to set out their response to the issues highlighted by Awaab's death.
Four leading housing organisations in Scotland issued updated guidance about how the social housing sector should respond to damp and mould.
In December 2022, the body representing Northern Ireland's housing associations said its members were "reviewing their approaches to tackling mould and dampness".
Related TopicsRelated Topics
HousingHousing
HealthHealth
Manchester
Landlords
Rochdale
Social housing