Home heating crucial for winter health

HEATING IS A MUST: Warm, dry homes are better for health and wellbeing.

With temperatures suddenly taking a dive, it is important to be aware of the health risks involved in living in a cold house... or one that's too hot.  

Adequate heating plays a prominent role in your health, apart from contributing to comfort and increased productivity.

During winter, outside temperatures average a chilling 9C. In addition, humidity levels are high in Auckland and the combination, if left unaltered, provides vibrant conditions for the growth of fungi, mould, bacteria and dust mites.

These allergens place stress on susceptible indivi-duals, especially infants, the elderly and those with illnesses.

New Zealand has the second highest asthma rate in the world after the UK; more than 800,000 Kiwis suffer from asthma or other respiratory illnesses.

A study undertaken by the University of Otago's School of Medicine and Health Sciences, which involved people with respiratory problems in more than 1400 homes, reported that drier, warmer homes improved people's health and wellbeing, and energy efficiency.

However, Dr Allen Liang, chest physician and allergist, President of Asthma New Zealand and senior consultant paediatrician at Starship Hospital, says we should be cautious about overheating. "It is wiser to have a constant temperature in all rooms rather than overheating one room and leaving the rest cold, as sudden temperature change can be harmful.''

Liang recommends a temperature of 20C rather than the 24C that is maintained in many homes as the level for personal comfort.

He says homeowners should avoid buying unflued gas heaters. The Ministry of Health is urging people who own these heaters to ensure they use them safely, following a public health warning in Australia on the possible harmful effects of the heaters.

The Australian-based Environmental Health Council, of which New Zealand is a member, has produced a brochure warning people of the health risks associated with indoor air pollutants which unflued gas heaters produce, such as carbon monoxide. It also advises that heaters produce water vapour, which can increase the spread of mould and dust mites. These can affect your health.

This comes after an Australian study found that if air pollutants build up in a room, they pose significant health risks to children, pregnant women, elderly people and people with asthma and heart disease.