Dampness Problem Seriousness - Article Example

Introduction
Dampness in buildings has been known to cause molds and fungus which is a common phenomenon in old buildings and buildings that have not used damp-proof compounds.
The presence of molds and fungus which has led to the closure of most schools that experience the problems has led to serious health risks for those individuals that are prone to the conditions. The most common known health risks that are associated with the fungi presence include; hypersensitivity reactions, various infections, irritant reactions, toxic reactions, and in extreme cases the cases can lead to the death of the victim (Barry 2001 pg 55).

Dampness problem seriousness has led emphasis of damp proofing in buildings in Europe and America. Damp proofing compound is found in most shops across Europe and America. Laws have been made to protect innocent parties from suffering due to the negligence of other parties or individuals. For example, the 1989 legislation on Health and safety applies to all farmers so that they ensure that electrical installation is inspected and maintained by competent electricians to ensure that the fittings are dust and damp proof. This is emphasized to ensure public safety and avoid possible losses that are incurred by failure to comply.

Dampness is especially a concern to countries that are in cold areas where dampness is inevitable. Poverty has been seen as a major contributor to dampness problems in buildings. Most peasant farmers who wish to put up buildings yet do not have enough funds fail to comply with the building and construction requirements of Timber Framed constructions. Most peasant farmers believe owning a house irrespective of the condition is a privilege since they will avoid the heavy house rents charged by landlords.

Most compounds that are used as a protective measure for dampness seem to cause serious health problems to those that apply them. Among the known health risks suffered by construction operators that are concerned in applying damp proofing compounds include serious respiratory effects, skin and eye irritation, burns, asthma problems, and stress-related to depression due to working in the environment (Gyula, 1998 57).

Hypothesis
Hypothesis I
Victims of dampness condition mostly comprise women and children.
Hypothesis II
Old buildings are prone to a dampness problem
Hypothesis III
The cost of the damp proof compound is very high and cannot be afforded by most individuals that wish to put up a construction.
Hypothesis IV
The problem of destruction of buildings by dampness can be attributed to weak legislative laws concerning Health and safety.

Statement of the problem
Dampness in buildings has been a major concern to most governments since the 19th century. Dampness has led to higher government expenditure allocation to public health due to the illnesses that are associated with dampness in buildings. An American government report indicates that most victims of the dampness conditions are poor and cannot afford the rent of those buildings that have met building standards. Dampness has contributed to the 15% of deaths that occur in America annually. The government focuses on ways of reducing deaths that are associated with dampness by 25% annually (Institute of Medicine 2004 pg 79).

Dampness causes have led to the rampant need for protecting buildings, especially timber-framed construction against dampness. The use of damp-proof compounds has led to rampant health and safety causes, especially by those that apply the chemical compound. The health risks the individuals that apply damp proof courses are susceptible to include asthma, skin diseases, cancer especially lung cancer, and other ailments that have become a major concern to the American government which devote a lot of budget expenditure to public health. Increased public expenditure on health can be attributed to the increased cases of damp proof related illnesses.

The formation of molds on the walls of a timber-framed construction is equally a serious health risk to the occupants of the house because other serious ailments like skin rashes, diarrhea, chronic flu symptoms, chronic dandruff problems, and sometimes death have been witnessed among victims that have been subjected to toxic molds conditions which can only be present in buildings that suffer dampness problems (Barry 2001 pg 81).

Aim and Objectives
This paper aims to find out the health problems that are associated with dampness and where possible give possible solutions to the given problems.