Mould removal ‘eases asthma’
05 September 2007

People with asthma who remove mould from their homes could see an improvement in their symptoms, according to research funded by Asthma UK.

Researchers from Cardiff University asked people with asthma living in two areas of South Wales if they noticed mould growing inside their houses. In half of the houses where mould was reported, the mould was removed and ventilation was improved by installing a fan in the loft. In the other houses, mould removal was delayed for twelve months.

Dr Michael Burr, from Cardiff University said: ‘In the houses where mould was removed, the symptoms of asthma improved and the use of inhalers decreased more than in the other houses. Removing mould also led to improvements in other symptoms: sneezing, runny or blocked noses, and itchy-watery eyes.

‘There was no clear effect on measurements of breathing, but this may have been because patients used their inhalers as needed so that they could always breathe freely.’

Jenny Versnel, Asthma UK’s Executive Director of Research and Policy said: ‘The publication of this study adds to the increasing bank of research that indoor mould may have a link with asthma, however more work is needed in this area before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

‘Research into this area does, however, highlight the importance of keeping your house dry and well ventilated. This can reduce exposure to certain asthma triggers such as mould spores which are found in damp places.’

Wales has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world with 1 in 12 adults and 1 in 10 children affected.