Clothes hoarse: Drying your washing indoors can make you ill - Mirror.co.uk

Millions of families who leave laundry drying around their home are putting their health at risk, experts warned today.

The damp clothes cause moisture which sparks dust mite and mould spore growth – posing a threat to those with asthma, hay fever and other allergies.

A total of 75 per cent of households had moisture levels which could lead to dust mite growth, said a study by Glasgow's Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit.

The report also found a strong link between drying laundry and mould spores.

A particular mould spore known to cause lung infections in people with weakened immune systems was found in 25 per cent of the more than 100 homes tested and sampled.

Experts say families should ensure their home has a dedicated drying area – and that special spaces should be incorporated into new houses.

Researcher Rosalie Menon: "These spaces should be independently heated and ventilated. It's very much going back to airing cupboards."

Prof Colin Porteous said: "Minor changes to the wording of regulations would have multiple beneficial consequences.

"Our research gives strong justification for the changes both in terms of health and wellbeing, and associated economic impacts.

"It is our hope that current statutory and advisory standards will be modified to take them on board ensuring a healthy and economically sustainable living environment."

Unhealthy: Laundry drying on radiator

 

Hanging washing on airers, radiators and other surfaces around the home is common, but in cold weather 87 per cent of us dry clothes indoors.

Researcher Rosalie Menon warned people are not aware of how much moisture this adds.

She said: "Going into people's homes, we found they were drying washing in their living rooms, in their bedrooms.

"Some were decorating the house with it, but from just one load of washing two litres of water will be emitted."

Asthma

One in 20 adults suffer from asthma, a common condition that affects the airways.

Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest.

Over 75% of homes had average moisture levels above the recognised upper threshold for dust mite growth which is linked to asthma risk.

Infection

High levels of moisture can lead to an increased concentration of mould spores inside homes.

Aspergillus fumigatus was found in 25% of homes sampled in this study.

This can cause lung infections in epople with weakened immune systems.

Hay fever

Researchers found a strong link between mould spore concentration in the air and passive drying in homes, which carries a health risk to those prone to hay fever.

Hay fever is a common allergic condition that affects one in five people at some point in their life.

Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes.