Asthmatics warned over laundry

06 November 2012 09:14

Drying laundry indoors could pose a health risk to people who suffer with asthma, according to research

Drying laundry indoors could pose a health risk to people who suffer with asthma, according to research

Researchers at the Mackintosh School of Architecture say drying laundry indoors could pose a health risk to people who suffer with conditions such as asthma and hay fever after it was found many homes held too much moisture inside over the long winter months.

The Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit studied 100 homes in Glasgow and found 87% dried their washing using hangers or radiators indoors. Consequently, this contributed to more than a third of all household moisture during cold weather, which creates the perfect breeding ground for mould spores and dust mites.

The survey said the moist indoor conditions could exacerbate problems for asthmatics over the winter. People suffering with asthma should also arrange asthma travel insurance if they plan to flee the UK for warmer weather elsewhere this winter.

"Going into people's homes, we found they were drying washing in their living rooms, in their bedrooms," said researcher Rosie Menon. "Some were literally decorating the house with it, but from just one load of washing two litres of water will be emitted."

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