Damp and mould in homes put asthmatics at greater risk

A new study has revealed that damp and mould in homes could pose a significant health risk to people with asthma.

According to the study by researchers at University of Exeter Medical School, the presence of several types of mould can lead to breathing problems in asthma sufferers, as well as increasing the likelihood of developing the condition.

One of the study's lead authors, Richard Sharpe, said that moulds are abundant in our outdoor and indoor environments, with around 10 varieties living in a typical home and they have found the strongest evidence yet of their potentially harmful effects, with higher levels of some of these moulds presenting a breathing hazard to people suffering from asthma, worsening their symptoms significantly. It also looks as though mould may help to trigger the development of asthma - although research in this area is still in its infancy.

The team identified links between a number of different types of fungi and breathing problems in asthma sufferers, among them Aspergillus and the antibiotic-producing Penicillium and also highlighted other factors that can contribute to the risk of asthma, including house dust mites, pets and chemicals.

The study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.