Humidity:
What are the health risks?

When a house is too damp, mold often appears on the walls. Seemingly harmless, these fungi release spores that infiltrate the respiratory system. Excessive humidity is therefore much more than an aesthetic inconvenience; it represents a real danger to your health and contributes to indoor air pollution.

The figures speak for themselves, underlining the scale of the problem: 43% of people suffering from respiratory illnesses have lived in damp housing. What's more, there are 28,000 new cases of asthma every year, directly attributable to unhealthy indoor air. It has also been proven that living in damp housing increases the risk of developing asthma by +40%. Breathing damp, mold-laden air over a long period of time exposes you to certain diseases. It's crucial to know that 15% of humidity problems are untreatable because they are diagnosed too late. If you have mold, blistering paint or warping parquet, don't wait: get in touch with the professionals.

The World Health Organization (WHO) makes it clear: "Damp and musty environments are harmful to health. They increase the risk of asthma, allergic rhinitis and other respiratory problems."

This is particularly important if you have young children. As their immune systems are still developing, they are much more sensitive to the presence of mold. Their risk of developing asthma or allergies is almost twice as high if they live in a damp house. Similarly, babies already suffering from asthma can develop a chronic cough if they breathe in spores for prolonged periods.

Other symptoms that may indicate exposure to moisture-induced mold growth include eye and throat irritation, dry coughs, recurring colds and headaches.