A new study from the University of Exeter School of Medicine in the UK has shown that living in so-called energy-efficient homes can increase the risk of asthma, according to Pannochka, an online publication for girls and women aged 14 to 35.. net Reported in Environment International.

This week the British government has allocated 30 million pounds (47 million dollars) for the introduction of energy efficient technologies.

But the authors of the latest study are sure that not everything is so rosy in this direction.. At least from a medical point of view.

The United Kingdom, according to researchers, has one of the highest rates of asthma on the planet.

British scientists worked on their project with social housing provider Coastline Housing. They analyzed the health information of residents from 700 households in Cornwall. The magazine reports that people who live in energy-efficient homes have an increased risk of asthma, which doubles if there is mold in the home..

“Energy efficiency measures are vital if we want to keep the cost of living low and reduce the environmental impact of home heating. A new study provides a very valuable insight into the impact of such technologies on human health.. Its results enable us to better inform residents and develop measures to control the living environment,” says Mark England, Head of Technical Services, Coastline Housing.

This is the first study of its kind to examine the impact of energy-efficient home technologies on people's risk of asthma..

“We found that adults who live in energy-efficient social housing face an increased risk of asthma.. Modern measures are important to reduce energy consumption, prevent heat loss by improving thermal insulation and improving heating systems.. But some people, especially those living in poverty, poorly heat their homes and are not inclined to ventilate it in winter.. This could protect against the appearance of mold, an important factor in the development of asthma, ”says study author Richard Sharpe (Richard Sharpe).

Poorly ventilated homes are a constant exposure to biological, chemical, and physical pollutants that can worsen asthma symptoms. These negative factors include dust mites, bacteria and fungi, which can affect the health of people in damp homes..

Some habits of tenants also affect the risk of asthma. In particular, the habit of hanging washed laundry inside the house: this increases the humidity in the room, which is exacerbated by excellent insulation in energy-efficient homes..

High incidence of asthma in poorly ventilated homes with gas stoves.

Looking at other factors in the development of asthma, American scientists from the University of Oregon found that in houses with poor ventilation and gas stoves, residents are more likely to get asthma..

Oregon State says children in these homes are as much as 32% more likely to develop asthma than those in well-ventilated homes.. They are also 38% more likely to have bronchitis.

Many participants in this study reported using their gas stoves for space heating, which is also associated with respiratory illness in children.. In such dwellings, children suffered from asthma 44% more often, and bronchitis - 43% more often..

This factor affects the health of girls especially strongly, but it is not clear why.

medbe. en.