Household mould may cause people with asthma to develop severe forms of the disease, a study suggests. Researchers in France have found a strong link between people who are sensitive to the type of mould that can sometimes be found on plants and paintwork in the home, and those who have life-threatening asthma attacks. They believe mould, more than any other allergens, including dust mites or cats, may be responsible for triggering severe asthma. Sensitive to allergens Each of the participants was tested to gauge whether their asthma symptoms got worse when exposed to a variety of allergens. These included household mould, dust mites, a type of grass and cats. The study found that three out of four people were sensitive to at least one allergen, with grass and dust mites topping the list. Two out of three people were sensitive to two or more allergens. Almost one in five was allergic to a plant fungus or mould that typically grows on dead plants, damp walls or paintwork and old food. Those who were sensitive to these moulds were much more likely to have a severe form of asthma. There was not a similar link with pollens or cats. Writing in the British Medical Journal, the authors suggested this may be because mould spores are much smaller and can reach the lower airways where they can cause most damage. In addition, these spores were present in the home where people generally spent most of their time. The authors called on doctors to tell patients about the risks. "Those people with asthma who are sensitised to airborne moulds should be educated to pay careful attention to symptoms and comply with treatment," they said. "Patients should be encouraged to decrease exposure by avoiding indoor conditions that facilitate the growth of moulds - for example, by better ventilation and by decreasing dampness." Intervention study Professor Martyn Partridge, chief medical adviser to the National Asthma Campaign, welcomed the study. "This report could be a very important study for people with asthma. What has been demonstrated is an 'association' between mould sensitisation and severe asthma. "We cannot be certain that this is a cause and effect relationship but it might be." "What is now needed is an intervention study and this would need to be in two parts; firstly looking to see if a reduced exposure to moulds prevented those with asthma moving into the severe category, and secondly seeing if reducing exposure to moulds by those with severe asthma improves control of the disease." Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2209415.stm

Researchers at the Institute for Lung Health at the University of Leicester and Glenfield Hospital, examined the impact on asthmatics of a common environmental mould, Aspergillus fumigatus, usually found in soil and compost heaps - their report has been published A report published in the December 2010 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Professor Andy Wardlaw from the University of Leicester said: “Asthma is a very common condition where the breathing tubes (bronchi) can go into spasm making it difficult to breathe. Around a fifth of adults with severe asthma, which they have had for a long time, get permanent (fixed) narrowing of their bronchi. It is known that A. fumigatus can grow in the lungs of some people with asthma and mould allergy, which can cause severe lung damage.
“This problem is thought to only affect a very small number of people with asthma; however, about half of people with severe asthma have evidence of allergy to moulds like A. fumigatus.”

 http://www.horticulture-news.com/common-garden-mould-found-growing-in-asthmati

Fungus and mildew are seen as triggers for asthma

. Ireland already has the fourth highest incidence of asthma in the world and allergies are rising fast. Alarmingly things may be getting worse: recently the World Health Organisation has found that as many as third of Irish children now have asthma. 
Condensation is the formation of liquid water from air when the temperature of the air reaches its dew point.  This is most lightly to occur during winter months when the walls are cold and the internal air is warm especially in locations where the relative humidity of the internal air is high   Bathrooms and kitchens are common locations where this occurs, but also bedrooms in the early hours of the morning

Asthma and Mould

Moulds are types of fungi that grow indoors and outdoors in damp, dark places, and usually have a musty smell. there are different species of mould. Moulds release tiny seeds called spores into the air, which can trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Mould spores are found in any damp place - from piles of autumn leaves and woody areas to bathrooms, kitchens and even piles of damp clothes. The spores that moulds give off may cause allergic reactions throughout the year.

Black mold in the bedroom

We too have serious black mold in the bedroom. It can be caused by warm air touching the cold walls.
Ours has become worse since we got better heating in the house!
From what i have read, the mold likes paper. This seems to be so in our bedroom as the Mold is on the wallpapered wall and the dry-lined wall! The walls that have no paper that are just painted walls, have no mold!
We now have a dehumidifier and I have been told there is something to put into paint that stops the growth of the mold so I am going to research into that this week.
It has been such high humidity this year with all the rain that it is a real problem.
I think moving to somewhere warmer and drier would swing it for me!! :-)

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2012 September 24th – 30th

The dangers associated with carbon monoxide are promoted to the general public every year through television, radio, press, digital and direct mail advertising.  This year, however, in an effort to do something different and to generate greater public engagement on the subject of carbon monoxide, a dedicated Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is being held from September 24th to September 30th.  

Importantly, the week is aimed at all carbon fuel users.

Remember, Remember, Remember
As you can see from this website there are many messages related to the dangers of carbon monoxide that need to be promoted.  For Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, the public are being asked to remember three things that can help protect them against this silent killer using the mnemonic Remember, Remember, Remember;

Remember
the causes – Carbon Monoxide can be produced when ANY fuel is burnt, including oil, gas, wood and coal.
Remember
to service – To prevent Carbon Monoxide, ensure your appliances are installed and serviced annually by a Registered Gas Installer, a Registered Oil Technician, or a qualified service agent for your fuel type.  Also make sure vents, flues and chimneys are kept clear.
Remember
the alarm – Carbon Monoxide is odourless and colourless so for added protection install an audible carbon monoxide alarm.  Make sure the alarm complies with EN 50291, carries a CE mark, has an end of life indicator and carries an independent certification mark.
Fuel customers will receive a Carbon Monoxide information leaflet with their bill in the run up to the Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon Monoxide (also known as CO) is a colourless, odourless poisonous gas and is a common yet preventable cause of death from poisoning worldwide. Approximately half of the deaths from unintentional CO poisonings result from the inhalation of smoke from fires. Other significant causes are vehicle exhausts and deaths in industrial / commercial settings. On average between 1 and 2 people die each year in Ireland from unintentional CO poisoning in the home in incidents related to domestic heating or other fossil fuel installations in the home (i.e. excluding the inhalation of smoke from fires).

The incomplete combustion of organic fossil fuels such as oil, gas or coal is a common environmental source of CO and is responsible for many cases of non-fatal unintentional CO poisoning.
In normal conditions the combustion process (the addition of oxygen) will result in carbon in the fossil fuel, combining with oxygen, in the air, to produce Carbon Dioxide (CO2), the same substance we exhale when we breathe.
However, if there is a lack of air for the combustion process or the heating appliance is faulty, Carbon Monoxide can be produced.
When CO is inhaled into the body it combines with the blood, preventing it from absorbing oxygen. If a person is exposed to CO over a period, it can cause illness and even death.
Carbon Monoxide has no smell, taste or colour. This is why it is sometimes called the "Silent Killer".
Carbon Monoxide alarms can be used as a backup to provide a warning to householders in the event of a dangerous build up of CO. Check that the Carbon Monoxide alarm complies with the EN 50291 standard. Remember that Carbon Monoxide alarms are no substitute for regular inspection and maintenance of appliances, vents, flues and chimneys.