Could Energy Efficient Homes Increase the Risk of Asthma?

Residents who failed to ventilate and heat their retrofitted, energy efficient homes could be at risk of manifesting asthma, according to a recent study.

“Modern efficiency measures are vital to help curb energy use, and typically prevent heat loss through improved insulation and crack sealing. Yet 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 mold, factors that we know can contribute to asthma,” said Richard Sharpe, PhD student at the University of Exeter, and contributor of the study.
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For the study, researchers analyzed the data of 700 properties that they obtained through the UK social housing provider, Coastline Housing.

The study showed that the presence of mold doubled the risk of asthma development in those living in energy efficient homes.

According to researchers, the mold presence was not enough to completely explain the study’s findings since poorly ventilated homes could expose residents to other chemical, physical, and biological contaminants.

Further, investigators noted that the study showed other factors contributing to poor respirator health including dust mites and bacteria that high humidity facilitates.

The complete study is published in the December issue of Environmental International.

-Michelle Canales

Reference:

University of Exeter. Energy efficient homes linked to asthma. December 11, 2014. www.exeter.ac.uk/news/research/title_425953_en.html. Accessed December 15, 2014.