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Medical experts are gathering in Wellington and Auckland in the next few days to examine the health effects of leaky buildings.
An all-day workshop is being held at the University of Otago's school of medicine and health sciences in Wellington tomorrow, starting at 9am.
University of Otago Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman said the team of experts would come to Auckland for a workshop at the University of Otago's building on Queen St on Monday.
Health experts, researchers, representatives from the building industry, local bodies and government officials are expected to attend the workshops, examining the impact of mould and damp on people who live in leaky or old houses.
Professor Howden-Chapman is chairing the workshops, and said being sensitised to mould increased the risk of severe asthma in adults. Internal mould also had negative effects on people suffering from immune deficiencies.
The workshops are aiming to provide a public forum for people to find out about the latest research and discuss solutions.
The main speaker will be Professor Aino Nevalainen from the National Public Health Institute in Finland. She is an expert on dampness and mould in houses and how it affects building materials.
She will detail latest international research, what the European Union is doing about the problem and the health effects of fixing buildings with mould.
Professor Julian Crane from the University of Otago, Wellington will speak on the effect of mould on asthma and the effects of mould eradication.
Damp and mould and the great indoors will be the focus of Associate Professor Jeroen Douwes from Massey University.
Otago University's spokesman said he had international experience about non-specific effects from mould.
Greg O'Sullivan from consultants Prendos will talk about the causes of leaky buildings and Dr Nick Wilson of Otago University will talk about health effects of leaky buildings.
New Zealand has a high asthma rate - 15 to 20 per cent of people have the chronic respiratory condition.
A Governmentg response will be given by ministers Maryan Street in Wellington and Shane Jones in Auckland with Peter Thorby from the Department of Building and Housing.
