Mould and Indoor Air Pollution: How Concerned Should You Be?
Jan 27, 2025
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Alastair Lewis, a Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of York, shares expertise on improving indoor air quality. He discusses the serious health risks posed by mould, particularly for children with asthma. The conversation highlights a study by Imperial College examining indoor pollutants and the urgent need for effective mould management in homes. Alastair also emphasizes the importance of ventilation and the potential shift to electric cooking in reducing harmful emissions. Practical tips for maintaining cleaner air are provided throughout the discussion.
Mould exposure significantly worsens respiratory issues for families, particularly among children with asthma, highlighting the urgent need for better housing standards.
Indoor air pollution arises from various sources, including cooking practices and household products, underscoring the importance of improving ventilation and overall air quality.
Deep dives
Impact of Mould on Health
Mould in homes poses significant health risks, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma. In the podcast, a mother named Roxanne shares her experience living in a damp home where three of her five family members have asthma. She notes that exposure to mould has likely exacerbated her children's respiratory issues, particularly during the winter months when symptoms typically worsen. The tragic case of a two-year-old boy, who died due to mould exposure, highlights the serious dangers of inadequate housing and underscores the need for urgent action to address such health hazards.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor air pollution can arise from various sources, with mould being just one aspect of the problem. Factors like poor ventilation, cooking practices, and the use of certain household products contribute to the build-up of harmful pollutants. The podcast emphasizes that gases from cooking, especially when using gas stoves, release nitrogen dioxide, while particulate matter can result from frying and burning food. Recognizing these sources is essential, as many people spend a significant amount of time indoors, which amplifies the impact of these pollutants on health.
Need for Improved Housing Policies
The discussion highlights the urgent need for improved housing standards and policies to address issues of mould and indoor air pollution. Recent guidance from the government outlines the responsibilities of landlords and homeowners regarding mould remediation and air quality improvement. These measures are crucial, especially in light of increased rights for renters and the acknowledgment of the health risks posed by poor indoor environments. As public awareness grows, there is hope for better enforcement of these policies to protect individuals, particularly vulnerable populations like children suffering from asthma.
It has been a cold start to the year and for many that means the heating's on, windows are shut and we're drying clothes inside the house. For many people, mould becomes a major concern in winter and the health problems mould can cause have been under more scrutiny since the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 from long-term exposure to mould at his home in Rochdale.
At Imperial College London a study called WellHome is underway to monitor levels of mould and other indoor pollutants in homes across the west of the capital. Presenter James Gallagher meets Mum of four Roxanne who had monitoring equipment installed in her house to collect data that could lead to guidance on housing quality and inform how healthcare professionals look for and treat conditions affected by mould.
Joining James at Roxanne's is WellHome's Dr Athena Trachalaki, a Respiratory Registrar with Imperial College NHS trust. With her, to go through all the pollutants that pose a risk to our health indoors is WellHome lead and Professor of Community Health and Policy at Imperial College, Frank Kelly.
Dr Jonathan Grigg, Professor of Paediatric Respiratory and Environmental Medicine at Queen Mary University, London, tells James it could be the end of the line for the gas cooker, and Professor Alastair Lewis who is Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of York takes a virtual tour of James's home to discuss all the ways James could be cleaning up the air he breathes.
Presenter: James Gallagher
Producer: Tom Bonnett
Editor: Holly Squire
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