An increase of mould in homes brought on by the current weather could prove deadly for those with lung conditions, a leading lung charity has warned.
With ongoing storms continuing to batter the country over the next few days, Asthma + Lung UK says the extreme cold followed by heavy rain creates the ideal environment for damp and mould to thrive indoors, putting the lives of those with lung conditions at risk.
Many may also be unable to afford to heat their homes adequately due to the rising cost of living, which could also exacerbate mould in the home.
In a recent survey conducted by the charity, 43 per cent of people with asthma in England said mould was a trigger for their condition, prompting symptoms such as breathlessness, coughing and wheezing or bringing on potentially life-threatening asthma attacks.1
Almost a third (32%) of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) surveyed said mould also triggered their condition, putting them at risk of being left struggling to breathe and needing hospitalisation.1 The number of people with asthma and COPD triggered by mould were found to be the highest in parts of the Southwest and Southeast of England.
Around 5.4m people in the UK have asthma - one in every 12 adults and one in every 11 children - and 1.4m people have a diagnosis of COPD.2
Mould usually appears as fuzzy black, white or green patches on the walls, ceiling or tiles. It might also smell damp and musty. If you are allergic to mould it can cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing, sneezing and watery eyes or cause symptoms of a lung condition like asthma or COPD to worsen.
The charity says the numbers are ‘worrying’ and is urging anyone with a lung condition to take precautions to protect their health over the next few days as storms continue.
Emma Rubach, head of health advice at the charity, said: “The combination of warmer air inside homes and colder temperatures outside during the cold spell we had several days ago created the perfect environment for mould to grow, which is a major trigger for those with asthma and COPD. Now we have heavy rain, which will cause damp in the atmosphere and can make mould worse as it thrives in damp environments.
“Mould is dangerous to those with lung conditions as not only can it exacerbate symptoms in those who already have illnesses like asthma or COPD, increasing the likelihood of an asthma attack or COPD flare up, but long-term exposure to mould can cause lung conditions like asthma in previously healthy individuals.”
The charity’s survey also indicated a link between social deprivation and exposure to mould. Forty-six per cent of those with asthma and 35 per cent with COPD on lower incomes of less than £20,000 a year said it made their condition worse.1 In comparison, 41 per cent of those with asthma and 29 per cent of those with COPD with a household income of between £20,000 to £30,000 a year said it was an issue for them.1
Keeping your home well aired and warm - at least 18°C in colder months - helps reduce condensation, which leads to mould. But the rising cost of living has made this increasingly harder for those with lung conditions who live in socially deprived areas and are already struggling to pay bills.
In another Asthma + Lung UK survey, almost three-quarters (74%) of people with lung conditions said they were planning to heat their homes less, while 45% looked set to turn their heating off altogether to pay for essentials like food and medicine.3
Earlier this month, Housing Secretary Michael Gove launched a consultation proposing new legal requirements for social landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould quickly in rented properties. The move came about following a campaign for Awaab’s Law to be introduced, launched after the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020, who died from mould exposure at his Rochdale home.
“Mould can be very harmful to health, especially for babies, small children, older people and people with allergies because it produces spores, which can be breathed in and can cause health problems in those who are sensitive or allergic to them,” added Rubach. “If you are allergic to mould, you might have symptoms like coughing, wheezing, sneezing or watery eyes. Mould can also increase your risk of other things that could make your asthma or COPD worse, like chest infections, colds and flu, and rhinitis (when your nose is irritated).
"If you do find that your asthma or COPD symptoms are getting worse because of mould, or your child’s symptoms are, see your GP or nurse as soon as possible. Whether it’s damp, mould, or something else making your or their condition worse, the important thing to do is to act now and get back in control of your symptoms.
“Aside from keeping an eye on your health, if you live in rented accommodation, report any damp and mould issues to your landlord, as they have a responsibility to keep your home in good condition. If they don’t sort out the problem, contact your local authority for further advice. If the damp and mould is affecting your lung condition or causing you to experience symptoms, you could also ask your GP to write a letter to support further action.”
To help protect yourself and your home against the potentially harmful effects of mould this winter, Asthma + Lung UK has the following tips:
1. Take all your medicines as prescribed to reduce your risk of mould affecting your lung condition.
2. Keep rooms well-aired. Open your windows for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day if you can, especially if you’re cooking or using the shower. If you live in a highly polluted area, check the air pollution levels before opening windows.
3. If you can, dry washing in a tumble dryer. If you can’t do that, try a well-aired room or airing cupboard.
4. Fix any leaks or water damage, as this will help to prevent humidity that causes condensation.
5. Try to keep your home at a good background temperature so it never gets too cold - ideally at least 18 degrees when it’s cold outside.
6. Use extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom or open a window when cooking or after a shower to get rid of moisture in the air.
7. Close the door of the room you are in if you’re cooking or showering - to prevent condensation in other rooms.
8. Some people find that de-humidifiers help to dry the air and prevent damp and mould. But make sure you get the setting right as leaving the air too dry might make you cough
9. And remember mould spores can be outside too, so make sure you carry your reliever (or rescue) inhaler wherever you go to deal with any symptoms quickly.
- For more information go to www.asthmaandlung.org.uk or call the charity’s helpline on: 0300 222 5800
ENDS
References:
1. Data taken from Asthma + Lung UK’s Life with a Lung Condition Survey 2023 and shown in tables below:
Breakdown of 11689 people with all lung conditions in England surveyed about whether mould was a trigger for their condition, 8163 people in England with asthma and 3898 with COPD. The figures were also divided by age, income level and region in England.
| Asthma | COPD | All lung conditions | |
| All | 43% | 32% | 38% |
| Asthma | COPD | All lung conditions | |
| 0-9 | 30% | N/A | 26% |
| 10-19 | 29% | N/A | 29% |
| 20-29 | 51% | N/A | 50% |
| 30-39 | 55% | N/A | 53% |
| 40-49 | 51% | 49% | 50% |
| 50-59 | 48% | 50% | 47% |
| 60-69 | 43% | 36% | 39% |
| 70-79 | 35% | 24% | 28% |
| 80-89 | 20% | 16% | 17% |
| 90-99 | 18% | 33% | 19% |
| Asthma | COPD | All lung conditions | |
| Below £20,000 | 46% | 35% | 39% |
| £20,000-£30,000 | 41% | 29% | 35% |
| £30,000-£40,000 | 42% | 32% | 38% |
| £40,000-£70,000 | 45% | 33% | 41% |
| Above £70,000 | 44% | 31% | 40% |
| Asthma | COPD | All lung conditions | |
| England | 44% | 32% | 38% |
| East Midlands | 43% | 33% | 38% |
| East of England | 44% | 31% | 38% |
| London | 44% | 30% | 37% |
| Northeast | 43% | 29% | 37% |
| Northwest | 42% | 32% | 37% |
| Southeast | 46% | 31% | 40% |
| Southwest | 47% | 34% | 40% |
| West Midlands | 42% | 34% | 37% |
| Yorkshire + Humber | 42% | 32% | 37% |
2. From the Asthma + Lung UK website: What is asthma? | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk) and What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)? | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)
3. Information taken from Asthma + Lung UK's Cost of Living Crisis Survey 2022: Cost of living crisis: 1 in 5 people with asthma surveyed say price hikes causing asthma attacks | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)