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Medical experts in New Zealand are for the first time having a look at the health impacts of leaky buildings.
Health experts, researchers, the building industry, local bodies and government officials will be at two workshops, in Wellington and Auckland on Thursday and next Monday. They will look into the impact of mould and damp on people who live in leaky or old houses.
Chairing the workshops is University of Otago professor, Philippa Howden-Chapman. She says being sensitised to mould increases the risk of severe asthma in adults. Internal mould also has negative effects on people suffering from immune deficiency.
Prof Howden Chapman says the workshops will provide a public forum for people to find out about the latest research and talk about possible policy solutions. The keynote speaker is prof Aino Nevalainen from Finland who is a European expert on how dampness and mould in houses affects building materials such as gibralter board. Prof Julian Crane from the University of Otago will speak on the effects of mould on asthma severity.
New Zealand has a high asthma rate, with 15 to 20 per cent of people suffering from the chronic respiratory condition.
- NEWSTTALK ZB