Can Damp Cause Respiratory Problems?

According to the U.S. Berkeley National Laboratory, indoor damp increases the risk of respiratory problems by 30 to 50%.

Another study by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that 21% of asthma cases in the USA are attributed to exposure to mold and moisture.

Now although these studies do not confirm that humidity is the principal cause of respiratory problems, they do show a strong association between high humidity levels and lung disturbances.

Even without referring to any studies or statistical figures, we all know that lung infections, allergies, and asthma are all more common in cold weather where the relative humidity is usually higher.

So, does damp really cause respiratory problems? Are the lung diseases we suffer from in cold, humid areas caused by humidity or something else? What makes high humidity levels dangerous for our lungs? And how can we prevent damp from causing respiratory problems?

That’s what we will try to answer in this article. I have researched this topic extensively and want to share what I have found with you.

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Too Long; Didn’t Read

Yes, damp air can cause respiratory problems because it tightens our airways and makes it hard for us to breathe. Also, damp provides favorable conditions for mold to spread and multiply and therefore have a greater chance of entering our lungs and causing respiratory infections.

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Does damp cause respiratory problems?

The brief answer is yes. Damp can cause respiratory problems.

Although it is not yet clear what makes damp dangerous for our respiratory system, many studies have found a strong link between high humidity levels and lung infections.

In 2007, 33 studies have shown that exposure to residential humidity increases the risk of developing asthma or having asthma attacks by 30 to 50%.

Another study of 46,000 children aged 8 to 12 found that there is a strong correlation (risk ratio 1.4 to 1.9) between visible mold in homes and respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, wheezing, rhinitis, etc.

Also, a meta-analysis by the Environmental Energy Technologies Division proved that there is an increased risk of respiratory problems in buildings with signs of dampness or visible mold.

So all these studies and others show that indeed, damp can be the cause of many respiratory problems and that there is a strong link between the humidity level in residential buildings and the risk of developing lung diseases.

In the following lines, we will dig deeper into this relationship and explain all the potential health issues you may develop while staying in a damp house.

What makes damp dangerous for our health?

Well, I think the first thing to discuss here is that humid air just makes it hard for us to breathe.

Why and how does this happen? Well, in layman’s terms, inhaling moist air activates certain nerves in our lungs, which in turn tighten our airways and make it difficult for air to pass through our respiratory system.

This creates an exhausting struggle to breathe and get enough amounts of oxygen, but it can be more dangerous for people with asthma and other lung conditions.

Another way dampness affects our lungs is by providing a favorable environment for mold to grow and spread.

Mold is a type of fungus that thrives on damp, carbon-based surfaces such as wood, carpets, fabrics, paper, food, drywall, etc.

The truth is, mold can be found all around us and cannot be avoided. I mean, if you can’t see it on your walls or carpets, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a mold problem. It just means that you need a microscope to see it.

But don’t worry. This is totally fine because in general, mold does not pose any health risk.

However, when the air is too humid and there is so much moisture in the surrounding substrates, mold finds the right conditions to grow and reach a harmful level at which it starts to cause problems.

When the mold finds good breeding conditions, it begins to release tiny substances called mold spores, which in turn start to multiply and spread onto infected surfaces.

Worse yet, mold spores are ultra-small and light organisms, and therefore, can go airborne and stay suspended in the air for a long time.

This makes you more likely to inhale, touch, or come in contact with certain spores during your daily tasks, and if you do, the spores can trigger many allergens and cause you a variety of respiratory problems.

This includes:

• Runny or blocked nose
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Chesty Cough
• Asthma attacks and flare-ups for people already suffering from the condition
• The onset of asthma for people who don’t have the condition
• Higher sensitivity to chest infections
• Other respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and rhinitis

Who are the people most at risk?

Yes, damp is dangerous and can cause respiratory problems, but it poses a higher risk for people with weaker immune systems and people with certain health conditions.

This includes:

• Babies and children
• Elderly people
• People with sensitive skin or eczema
• People already suffering from asthma and other respiratory conditions
• Smokers
• People with other immunitary problems like cancer
• People following certain treatments like chemotherapy

Now, if you find yourself in this selection of people, there is no need to panic. However, keep in mind that you are slightly more susceptible to damp issues and therefore need to take a preventative approach to reduce any associated risks.

Other problems associated with high humidity levels

Breathing issues aren’t the only problems you may experience due to high humidity.

In fact, humidity can also affect your overall comfort and well-being and change the way you feel in different seasons.

How does damp affect you in cold weather?

Have you ever wondered how you manage to stay warm in cold weather?

I mean, when there is no air conditioner to provide heat, what makes you feel hot?

You think it’s your clothes? False. It’s your body.

Yes, when the air temperature drops, your body starts to give off heat and that’s what keeps you warm.

The only role of your clothes is to trap the heat your body generates and keep it around your skin. This explains why wearing more layers helps us feel warmer. The more shirts you put on, the less body heat you lose.

Now, what happens to this self-heating process when the air is damp?

Well, it is worth noting that your body finds it harder to release warmth into water than into air.

Therefore, when it’s damp outside, your body needs to put more effort in order to release the heat it needs to stay warm.

This can make you feel exhausted, tired, and more chilly than you would feel if the air was dry.

Ever asked why the same temperature feels different from one place to another?

Well, it’s just because the humidity makes cold weather feel colder.

I mean, if a temperature degree makes you feel colder than what you think it should, there’s a good chance that you’re just in a damper area that is preventing your body from self-heating properly.

How does damp affect you in hot weather?

Just as your body helps you stay warm in cold weather, it also helps you feel cooler in hot weather.

How does this work? Well, simply by releasing sweat and enabling it to evaporate in the air.

This is why we sweat more in hot weather. It’s just the mechanism our body uses to cool down.

With that said, keep in mind that sweat evaporation happens more easily in dry air than in humid air.

This is because moist air already has high water content and therefore does not accept more water vapor as easily as dry air.

As a result, in a hot and humid atmosphere, the sweat you generate will simply settle on your skin and take much longer to evaporate.

Now besides the discomfort and sticky feeling that this generates, it will also make you feel hotter. Why? Simply because the sweat on your skin will stifle further sweat generation and therefore not allow your body to cool down as it should.

So, these are two ways that humidity can affect us, both in cold and hot weather.

But before I move on, let me mention one last thing regarding the danger of mold.

Breathing or touching mold spores not only increases the risk of respiratory problems, but can also cause headaches and trigger rashes, irritation, skin allergies, eczema, dermatitis, and other skin conditions.

Moreover, mold can also release toxic microorganisms called mycotoxins, and if these are inhaled or touched, they can cause serious health problems such as chronic fatigue syndrome, toxic pneumonia, kidney failure, and even cancer.

How to prevent damp problems?

Now that we understand the danger of damp air and how it can affect our overall health, it’s time to discuss what we can do to minimize the risks and prevent related hazards.

The first thing to do here is to look for all damp sources in your building and class them by type.

In general, there are 3 main types of damp.

• Rising damp: Occurs when water under the building rises through floors or walls. This is commonly caused by a flawed or missing damp-proof in the building foundation.

• Penetrating damp: This is like rising damp, except that it travels horizontally and not vertically. This means that it occurs because of water leaking through walls and ceilings, either from outside water (humidity or rain) or from a leaking pipe or hose.

• Condensation: This one happens when hot, damp air comes in contact with cooler surfaces, and the excess water vapor turns into a liquid state and forms water droplets on those surfaces.

So start by checking all damp problems in your house and try to identify the type of each one: penetrating, rising, or condensation.

Now if you suffer a penetrating or rising damp, the best solution is usually to hire a specialist and let it do the job for you.

I mean, yes, you can inspect and fix things yourself, but hiring a professional is always worth the investment.

These guys are trained to deal with all leak problems and will help you evaluate the whole situation and suggest the necessary corrective actions.

Trying to fix structural defects, leaks, and broken pipes yourself can cause more damage and worsen the situation. Not to mention, of course, the time, money, energy, and headaches you may spend trying to figure out what’s going on.

I have gone through this myself and, believe me, it’s a real struggle.

Now, on the flip side, if you have a condensation problem, then you are generally the one who needs to do the work and try to avoid all causes of condensation.

The goal is simple: Prevent water vapor from hitting cooler surfaces where it can turn to a liquid state and start causing problems.

For this, here is a list of good practices that you may need to consider:

• Replace all damp surfaces and items that can not be repaired. A damaged wall or roof will keep releasing mold spores and causing respiratory problems even if you don’t have a condensation problem. So this is generally the first thing to do.

• Invest in a dehumidifier. These home appliances suck in damp air, remove its water content, and blow it back dry and moisture-free. This will reduce the amount of water vapor in the air and thus lower the risk of condensation.

• Ensure proper ventilation in your house. This can be as simple as opening the windows, but a ventilation system is always the best way to go. The goal is to maintain a constant flow of dry air coming from the outside and therefore reduce the humidity level inside.

• Make sure to install cooking hoods and extractor fans in your kitchen and bathroom. This will allow damp air to escape outside before it hits the roofs and condenses.

• Take shorter showers, and if you can, privilege cold ones too.

• When bathing or cooking, make sure to close all doors connecting to other rooms. You want to trap problematic air into one area and prevent it from spreading to all your house.

• Make sure to dry damp surfaces and items within less than 24 hours. In general, mold and mildew take less than 48 hours to start growing.

• Do not put wet clothes and objects in closed rooms. You want to keep them in an open area, preferably outside, so the evaporated water escapes away.

• Hygroscopic substances like rice, baking soda, or silica gel, are great for moisture absorption, especially in tight and closed areas such as your closet, cupboard, drawers.

• All the points above are more critical for rooms where the air is generally hot and humid. This includes the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, gym, crawling space, basement, etc.

Now whichever way you choose to reduce damp in your house, make sure not to bring it to a too low (and dangerous) level. Why? Because too dry air can also cause respiratory problems.