StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Association between Dampness in Buildings and Health - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Association between Dampness in Buildings and Health" explains that sr David English in Ryan suggest that it was rightly claimed in the literature accompanying an exhibition that “No home can be ideal unless it contains at least one man, one woman, if possible, one baby.”…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.9% of users find it useful
Association between Dampness in Buildings and Health
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Association between Dampness in Buildings and Health"

But hospitalisation can cure the problem, not the cause. Hence dampness is not a problem but the root cause of many unwanted medical conditions. For years there was uncertainty and contradiction over whether there is enough scientific evidence to claim the toll dampness takes on people's health. Recent research like the one cited above has shown enough scientific evidence to prove the hazards of damp homes on the health of their occupiers. According to Bornehag et.al. "There is good evidence for a true association between dampness in buildings and health." (para.2) This statement made by a group of eight scientists after they studied the effects of dampness is enough to prove the relevance of the abovementioned health effects.

However, Bornehag et al. provide arguments to both sides of the posed question by pointing out, "Several epidemiological investigations concerning indoor environments have indicated that "dampness" in buildings is associated with health effects such as respiratory symptoms, asthma and allergy. It is concluded that the evidence for a causal association between "dampness" and health effects is substantial. However, the mechanisms are unknown. Several definitions of dampness have been used in the studies, but all seem to be associated with health problems.

Sensitisation to mites may be one but not the only mechanism. Even if the tools are unknown, there is sufficient evidence to take preventive measures against dampness in buildings." (para 1.) Considering this viewpoint, we can conclude that though experts point towards some links between moisture and ill health, until now, the scientific evidence is not entirely conclusive enough towards the health hazards posed by water. Since dampness lowers the temperature than expected in homes that are not damp, medical complications seem to attack the occupiers.

In a study conducted to determine the medical conditions related to cold and damp housing by Walsall Health Authority and MEB/npower, it has been found that cardiovascular diseases, home accidents due to lowering down of the rate of body sensation, heart attacks, strokes and respiratory problems etc. are linked to cold and damp homes. In their fuel poverty and ill health review, the evidence of physical and mental ill health related to dampness has been presented excitingly. According to the study, “ ‘fuel poor’ households typically respond to ‘hard to heat’ housing in two ways: 
1. They cut back on fuel use to try and maintain manageable fuel bills. This leads to cold homes, damps, and/or mould growth – key determinants of poor health.
2. They run up high fuel bills to try and maintain adequate levels of warmth. This contributes to general indebtedness or the need to cut back on other essential items such as food and clothing. This can also have health consequences, for example, depression.” (para.13)

In the context of the relationship between dampness and health effects, Bornehag et al. point out, “As the causative factors behind this association are not known, the main focus in practical investigations should be on finding out and remediate the reasons for the humidity problem.”(para.2) Therefore, looking at both sides of the argument and going by what experts say, it can be stated that the scientists believe that the scientific evidence is not yet wholly conclusive. It will need more time and research to make this issue more convincing. Further studies would help throw more light on this issue and would assist in identifying the extent to which dampness affects people in a more detailed way as a connection between ill health and water is recognized. Still, the scientific evidence is not conclusive enough to firmly make a statement.  

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Impact of Dampness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words”, n.d.)
Impact of Dampness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1525348-impact-of-dampness
(Impact of Dampness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words)
Impact of Dampness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1525348-impact-of-dampness.
“Impact of Dampness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1525348-impact-of-dampness.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Association between Dampness in Buildings and Health

Social Injustice in the US Healthcare System

The underlying health care inequalities have been experienced in maternal health care, early childhood care, poor nutrition, environmental conditions, inadequate access to medical facilities and health care resources.... The paper "Social Injustice in the US Healthcare System" shows us that health inequalities in the United States are behind the increasing rates of illness as documented in the recent reports.... African Americans have been the victims subjected to racial disparities within the health care platforms....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper

Public Policy and Politics and Housing Finance

Bombs left empty spaces where buildings had been.... here were complaints of poor standards, dampness, weather ingress, design defects, and poor quality of material; but over the years, councils and building associations eradicated most of the shortcomings.... This essay "Public Policy and Politics and Housing Finance" discusses the development of social housing in London and covers the history of the city from the philanthropic dwellings of the Victorian city to| post-war construction and developments planned for the 21 century in the Thames Gateway....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

Sustainable Housing Development

In 1948, United Nations stated that 'everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services.... The "Sustainable Housing Development" paper contains a literature review about sustainability, one of those major issues that have been given significant importance over the last decade....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Indoor Biological Contaminants and Development of Asthma in Children in the UK

On a relative scale, it is noticed that mold is the least possible reactant to create respiration issues than house dust mite and animal dander but in children with atopic allergy, mold is the catalyst of causing severe health issues (European Collaborative Action, 1993).... This case study "Indoor Biological Contaminants and Development of Asthma in Children in the UK" discusses the fact that deaths from asthma are uncommon, but asthma is a leading reason for visits to the General Practitioner (GP) and hospitalization admissions....
13 Pages (3250 words) Case Study

Holism in Architecture: Definitions of Holism and Its Effects on Sentient Beings

The paper "Holism in Architecture: Definitions of Holism and Its Effects on Sentient Beings" states that holism is not an end goal, but it can reflect holistic end goals that may improve architecture's effects on the health and well-being of humans, other sentient beings, and the environment.... Furthermore, this essay describes how holism may improve architecture's effects on the health and well-being of humans, other sentient beings and the environment (Sherman et al....
20 Pages (5000 words) Essay

Green Housing and Construction in Greece

As a result of the ever growing demand for habitats that provides reduced negative environmental impacts, cost friendly, features that promote good health and well-being, there is increased demand for green home builders to show their capabilities in sustainable home building ( Sendzimir, & Guy, 2002)....
14 Pages (3500 words) Coursework

Housing Systems Planning

79-80) indicated that overcrowded housing units hurt health due to exposure to air pollution, traffic congestion, noise-induced annoyance, lack of passive ventilation, humidity, and mold due to the inability of the building structure to absorb excess moisture and dampness, environmental tobacco smoke, cockroaches, and local neighborhood physical disorder which causes chronic stress.... between 1940 to1980 the number of crowding has declined by 60%, as attributed by decreasing family size and larger dwelling units....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

HVAC Systems Proactive Maintenance

The paper "HVAC Systems Proactive Maintenance" focuses on the critical analysis of the main peculiarities of proactive and preventive maintenance of HVAC systems.... Proactive maintenance of HVAC systems is a fundamental aspect of any building's performance.... ... ... ... HVAC systems control the airflow, air filtering, and temperature of indoor spaces....
13 Pages (3250 words) Research Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us