Protecting Your Health at Home

IAQ are longstanding members of BESA (Building Engineering Services Association). With more people continuing to work from home, their need to ensure the best indoor air quality they can, is highlighted by BESA in a recent blog.? The blog post outlines measures to improve indoor air quality at home. These include how to reduce moisture and prevent the formation of mould: click here to read Managing IAQ at Home

Mould is a Killer

The tragic death that brought the issue of mould in homes to a wider audience was that of two year old Awaab Ishak. Awaab died from a medical condition caused by mould, in a flat rented from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, in December 2020.

Subsequently, what is now know as Awaab's Law (outlined in this LinkedIn article) promised to combat the conditions the toddler could not endure. However, Awaab's Law has not prevented more similarly caused deaths. These death show that it is not only children who develop adverse health conditions because of mould in homes.? In October 2022, Jane Bennett, 52, died of lung disease, most likely as a result of mould.? Read more about Jane's death in The Guardian article here.

The Guardian article reported that, in an “unusual move” before the inquest has taken place, the coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report.? You can read the report in full here: Jane Bennett: Prevention of future deaths report - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.? In that report, dated 24th November 2023, the coroner states:

“In the view of history and autopsy findings in my opinion death was due to acute infective exacerbation of interstitial lung disease. Mould in her house could have contributed for the development of interstitial lung disease.”

The coroner ordered this report sent to Jane’s family and to Mansfield District Council. It remains to be seen what measures Mansfield and other councils will introduce in light of these deaths.

The full inquest into Jane's death will commence on 24th November 2024

IAQ supplies Remote Indoor Air Quality Monitoring systems for businesses - see: Professional Indoor Air Quality Monitor | Commercial Air Quality Sensor. We provide Ventilation services to improve/optimise Air Quality in offices, factories, education sites and shopping centres. If you require advice about how to improve Air Quality in your workplace, please email [email protected] in the first instance.