Pune: A silent menace lurks within the walls of many homes in the city __ mould and dampness. Doctors are reporting an increase in cases of allergies, respiratory problems , and even sick building syndrome among residents. They often recognise patterns when patients from the same societies, and some workplaces, come to them with headaches, continuous sneezing, dizziness, nausea, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin.
Notably, these individuals report feeling better when they leave the damp premises, further establishing the link between their symptoms and the mould-infested environments. Dr Nana Kunjir, consultant pulmonologist and intensivist at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar, said the recent and continuous high rainfall in certain areas of Pune, damp walls and mould become prevalent issues in many homes. He said, “Citizens must take preventive action with regular and thorough cleaning of homes, ensuring that areas prone to dampness are dry.
Address any leakages promptly through waterproofing to prevent the formation of dampness in roofs, walls, and plumbing systems.” Mould can badly affect some patients, Kunjir said. "In some unfortunate cases, patients have been diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, also called extrinsic allergic alveolitis.
It is a granulomatous lung disease that is the result of exposure and sensitisation to antigens inhaled with a variety of organic dust including mould spores." The consequences of exposure to mould can be more severe for individuals with compromised immune systems, respiratory diseases, and pregnant women. Dr Preethika Shetty, obstetrician & gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals in Kharadi, said, "The presence of mould leads to a typical smell in the house that can be discomforting.
The release of irritants such as spores and mycotoxins into the air causing dyspnea (breathing difficulty), epistaxis (nosebleed) and rhinitis. Other common symptoms are breathing difficulties, a tight chest, coughing, wheezing, and chest infections further impacting the health of the mother and the foetus." Damp walls are typical in many homes from humble dwellings to bungalows across the city.
Civil engineer Lokesh Singh blamed poor quality materials and improper planning and execution of construction and renovation projects for them. Many contractors focus on maximising profits instead of putting thought into their work, using leftover materials from previous projects even when they charge clients for new materials, he said. “Clients are easily scammed with shoddy work when it comes to waterproofing and so on.
They also wait till the entire wall is engulfed in mould before taking action, which amounts to high repair costs. Repairs can start with small patches,” he said. Some people said they get a creepy feeling just looking at moulds on the wet walls .
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