Leaky buildings: the health effects?

[Guest guest]

Leaky buildings: the health effects?

Monday, 25 February 2008

Scoop.co.nz - New Zealand*

Press Release: University of Otago

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0802/S00097.htm

Leaky buildings: what do we know about the health effects?

The University of Otago's Public Health Department in Wellington is

for the first time drawing together experts from New Zealand and

overseas to discuss the impacts of leaky buildings on health in two

workshops.

The first workshop will be at the University of Otago, Wellington on

Thursday February 28 and the second at University of Otago House,

central Auckland on Monday March 3.

This is an opportunity for health experts, researchers, the building

industry, local bodies and Government to discuss and learn about the

health effects and health costs associated with leaky buildings in

New Zealand and overseas. Housing Minister an Street will attend

the workshop in Wellington and the Minister of Building and Housing

Shane in Auckland.

" This workshop is not only about the current debate over the health

effects of recent leaky buildings, and the development of unhealthy

mould and damp, but also older houses in our community, a third of

which already have these problems, " says workshop Chair Professor

Philippa Howden-Chapman from the University of Otago, Wellington.

Professor Howden Chapman says there are significant health risks

associated with internal dampness, mould and fungi in our houses and

they need to be addressed by industry, health authorities and

government.

She says we have a high asthma rate with 15% to 20% of people

suffering from this chronic respiratory condition, which can be life-

threatening. Research by University of Otago's Professor n

Crane and others has shown that being sensitised to mould increased

the risk of having severe asthma in adults. Internal mould also has

negative effects on people suffering from immune deficiency.

" Leaking, damp homes are costing us extra in health dollars every

year and having a real impact on the general population. Leaky

buildings are a more severe problem because mould often also

develops behind walls. We think it's very important to find out more

about the effects. "

" We're pleased that City Councils in both Auckland and Wellington

have supported this workshop because it provides a public forum for

people to find out about the latest research and to talk about

possible policy solutions for this serious problem which affects

many in the wider community "

Keynote speaker Professor Aino Nevalainen from the National Public

Health Institute in Finland is a European expert on dampness and

mould in houses, and how it affects different building materials

such as gibralter board. She will detail latest international

research findings, what the EU is doing about the problem, and what

the health effects are of remediating buildings with mould.

Professor n Crane from the University of Otago, Wellington will

speak on the `Effect of Mould on Asthma Severity' and the effects of

mould eradication. " Damp and Mould and the Great Indoors " will be

the focus of Associate Professor Jeroen Douwes from Massey

University. He brings wide international experience about non-

specific effects from mould..

A response from the Government to the issues raised will be provided

by the Hon an Street in Wellington, the Hon Shane in

Auckland and Thorby from the Department of Building and

Housing.

Other speakers for both Wellington and Auckland are detailed in the

attached programme.