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Energy-efficient homes may trigger asthma

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London: People living in more energy efficient homes have a greater

risk of asthma, new research has found.

“We have found that adults living in energy efficient social housing

may have an increased risk of asthma,” said researcher Richard Sharpe

from University of Exeter Medical School in Britain.

“Some people, particularly those living in fuel poverty, are unlikely

to heat a building enough – or ventilate it sufficiently – to prevent

the presence of damp and mould, factors that we know can contribute to

asthma,” Sharpe explained.

The research team assessed data from the residents of 700 properties

in Cornwall.

The researchers pointed out that poorly ventilated homes are also

likely to increase people’s exposure to other biological, chemical and

physical contaminants.

The study pointed to other possible factors which can affect health in

homes with high humidity, such as house dust mites and bacteria.

Besides, the behaviour of occupants can increase the indoor humidity

at a property, a problem which is sometimes worsened by energy

efficient efforts to seal cracks and gaps, the researchers noted.

The study appeared in the journal Environment International.

Credit: IANS

Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku

I am a Ghanaian Broadcast Journalist/Writer who has an interest in General News, Sports, Entertainment, Health, Lifestyle and many more.

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