Damp homes could affect millions with lung conditions this winter

Health & Fitness
19 Mar 2026 • 9:15 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Asthma + Lung UK has warned that millions of people with lung conditions face heightened health risks this winter due to persistent wet weather and rising energy bills.
  • Exposure to damp and mould, exacerbated by these conditions, can trigger fatal asthma attacks, increase chest infections and lead to hospital admissions.
  • A charity survey revealed that nearly a fifth of people with lung conditions were already struggling to adequately heat their homes, even before recent oil price rises.
  • The Met Office reported one of the wettest winters on record for the UK, creating ideal breeding grounds for indoor mould, which triggers symptoms for a third of affected patients.
  • The charity recommends measures like opening windows, avoiding indoor clothes drying and maintaining home temperatures above 18C, while also urging the government to implement its £15 billion Warm Homes plan.

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