Exposure to mould at home may increase the risk of breathing problems in people who suffer from asthma, results of a UK study suggest.
The findings indicate that people with asthma can reduce their risk of respiratory symptoms by keeping their homes well aired and free from mould.
Dr Michael Burr, from the University of Cardiff, and his team assessed the homes of 182 asthma sufferers for mould.
Mould was then removed and preventative treatments sprayed in the homes of half the participants. The homes of the remaining participants remained untouched.
The researchers found that asthma sufferers who had mould removed from their homes reported an improvement in their asthma symptoms and less reliance on their reliever inhalers.
In contrast, no such improvements were reported by participants living in houses that were not treated.
Commenting on the results, Dr Burr said: “This suggests that mould probably triggers respiratory symptoms and may contribute to causing asthma.”
Jenny Versnel, from the charity Asthma UK, added that the findings contribute “to the increasing bank of research that indoor mould may have a link with asthma; however, more work is needed in this area before definitive conclusions can be drawn”.
She continued: “Research into this area does, however, highlight the importance of keeping your house dry and well ventilated. This can reduce exposure to certain asthma triggers such as mould spores which are found in damp places.”