'Cancer mould' found in house

Published 29 Jul 2009 14:50 0 Comments

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A FAMILY are claiming Barrhead Housing Association put their lives at risk after a cancer-causing mould was found growing in their home.

They claim to have informed BHA over two years ago when they first noticed the mould in their loft, kitchen, bedrooms, living room and hallway in the house in Rankin Way.

Now a shocking report carried out by an Environmental Health inspector for East Renfrewshire Council states that the mould found IS hazardous for the families health.

The News has discovered that one of the moulds identified can release a pathogen which is a cancerous agent harmful to the immune system.

The report recommends that the family are rehoused and should not be cleaning up the mould themselves.

The family, who do not wish to be named, suffer from respiratory ailments which may be exacerbated by the presence of these types of mould.

The report stated: "All affected areas must now be deep-cleaned by a specialist cleaning contractor, no such cleaning should be carried out by tenants as mould spores are likely to be disturbed and become airborne."

It added there was a case for 'decanting or temporary re-housing the tenants until the remediation is complete. In any case the family should not be present in the house when the cleaning is taking place'.

It recommended 'BHA must engage the services of an independent specialist surveyor to ascertain what has allowed mould to establish itself and persist in both the living areas and loft space.'

The mother said: "We have all been ill.

"My five-year-old is just out of hospital with chest and respiratory problems.

"I am fed-up fighting with BHA. They have done nothing but put my family's health at risk. I have lived here for seven years and the mould has spread all over the house. I had to fight to get this report done just to prove that I am right yet they still refuse to do anything."

Shirley Robison, director of Barrhead Housing Association, said: "The association is fully aware of the issues relating to properties at Rankin Way.

"The association has taken full and detailed advice and assistance from East Renfrewshire Council's environmental health department to include the necessary and appropriate form of remedial action. The effect, if any, of such remedies have on the health of our tenants and whether decanting would be necessary for any remedial action to be completed and specialist independent surveys of the properties including roof and wall areas, central heating systems and ventilation.

"The association has acted on all of these recommendations made."

The report also raised concerns over mould growing in loft sarkings in two other BHA properties in Rankin Way.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 29 Jul 09

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