Mould a 'significant problem' in New Zealand houses

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Mould a 'significant problem' in New Zealand houses

Otago Daily Times - Dunedin,New Zealand*

By Harvey on Fri, 11 Jul 2008

http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/dunedin/12829/mould-a-039significant-

problem039-new-zealand-houses

More than one-third of all homes in New Zealand have mould and damp

issues, with homes in the South Island in particular not being

heated properly, a University of Otago professor says.

Prof Philippa Howden-Chapman, of Wellington, said the issue of mould

and damp in homes was costing the country an estimated $300 million

to $500 million a year.

Mould in homes was a " significant " problem nationally, she said.

There was also evidence that the risk of getting asthma increased by

up to 30% in damp homes, and depression had been linked to living in

a cold, mouldy home.

Prof Howden-Chapman is in Dunedin to speak at the New Zealand

International Science Festival today.

She said homes in the South Island were cold because they were

poorly heated, which contributed to health issues, while homes in

the North Island were more prone to mould because the conditions

suited the growth of mould.

A recent survey of third-year medical student flats in Dunedin

showed that one-third had " significant mould " , which posed a three-

fold risk of those students experiencing wheezing, she said.

Prof Howden-Chapman be-lieved landlords needed to be regulated so

that private rental properties reached a certain level in terms of

warmth and insulation from damp.

People often " just put up with " cold, damp houses, but in other

countries there was proper heating and insulation, which meant

people were healthier.

In New Zealand people tended to treat the consequences of a damp

house, such as asthma, rather than treating the cause.

Prof Howden-Chapman will speak at the Academy Cinema, Dundas St, at

12.15pm until 1pm.

Keeping the heat

Sustainable and efficient heating:

Modern woodburner/pellet fire.

Heat pump.

Flued gas.

Solutions for mould-free new homes:

Needs to be an increasing awareness of flood-prone or damp areas

before building.

Damp-proof a home by making sure it has adequate spouting and

drainage.

Insulate.

Maintain the property.

New fashions in building design need to be tested to see whether

they are leak-proof.

Install sustainable and efficient heating.