Mould misery of York OAP

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Mould misery of York OAP

York Press - York,UK*

By Small

http://www.thisisyork.co.uk/display.var.1593796.0.mould_misery_of_yor

k_oap.php

A PENSIONER said today her health was being put at risk after her

flat was attacked by mould for the second time in a year.

Judith Drinkall, 64, of Micklegate, York, said that in February she

had a biopsy to remove a fungal growth in her throat - which she

said her doctor told her could have been caused by the mould in her

flat.

Mrs Drinkall said she will have to have another biopsy this month

because the growth may have returned.

The pensioner, who lives in the two-bedroom flat with her 12-year-

old granddaughter, said the mould has given her breathing problems

and caused her granddaughter to miss at least a week of school

through ill-health.

Mrs Drinkall said that, for the last three months, she and her

granddaughter have been forced to sleep on a mattress on the living

room floor because of the mould on their bedroom walls.

" I feel my life's in danger because, at my age, I'm getting so

stressed, " Mrs Drinkall said.

" I have been seriously ill - I've got to get out of here for health

reasons. I'm concerned for my granddaughter's health too. I feel

I've got nowhere else to go. I've got to move out of here before it

kills me. "

Mrs Drinkall said Ryedale Housing Association, which manages the

premises, had got rid of the mould once but that now it had " all

come back " .

Elaine Whittaker, housing manager for Ryedale Housing Association,

said: " A Ryedale Housing officer and maintenance surveyor have

visited Mrs Drinkall's property, in Micklegate, to assess the

situation and have confirmed there is a mild damp problem which is

in the process of being addressed. We are very sorry to hear of Mrs

Drinkall's health concerns and any medical evidence provided will be

taken into consideration when dealing with her housing transfer

request. Ryedale Housing takes all customer concerns very seriously.

We are treating this issue as a priority case and will assist Mrs

Drinkall where possible. We will endeavour to resolve her situation

as soon as we can. "

A spokesperson for York Hospital said it was unable to confirm the

cause of Mrs Drinkall's growth.