When it’s raining outside and the weather is cold, you may feel tempted to dry your clothes indoors. This is a actually something a lot of people do. In order to dry their clothes faster, they often use drying racks or drape them over warm radiators, unaware of the health risks this habit may cause.
According to research, drying clothes indoors during winter time may increase humidity inside your home by as much as 30%.
This, as a result, leads to perfect conditions for mould growth – especially aspergillus fumigatus, which may cause a life-threatening lung infection.
“Moist environments encourage the growth of mould which can release ‘seeds’ called spores,” says Pheena Kenny, of the Asthma Society of Ireland. “For some people with asthma who are sensitive to dust and mould spores, it can act as a trigger, causing asthma to get worse.”
Speaking to the Daily Mail, professor David Denning from the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester noted, “Most people have immune systems strong enough to handle exposure to [aspergillus fumigatus].
“But for individuals with asthma, it can cause increased coughing and breathing difficulties. And for those with compromised immunity, such as cancer patients on chemotherapy, individuals with autoimmune disorders, or people living with HIV/AIDS — the fungus can lead to a serious condition called pulmonary aspergillosis, which can cause permanent or even life-threatening lung and sinus damage.”
To better understand aspergillosis, NHS explains it is a condition caused by aspergillus mould that affects the lungs and causes difficulties breathing. Further, it causes sneezing, severe coughing, fever, and even coughing up blood. Its treatment requires antifungal medications. Severe cases include chest pain and weight loss.
It is not contagious and rarely affects healthy people, only those with compromised immune system.
Craig Mather, a 43-year-old father of three from Bolton, was diagnosed with a lung infection, which he believes he contracted from drying clothes indoors during the winter.
He already suffered from asthma and even had tuberculosis in the past.
“I started feeling better after my doctor diagnosed chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and prescribed antifungal treatments,” he explained.
“But I noticed my symptoms worsened whenever I dried laundry in the bedroom.”
When he stopped drying clothes indoors after a doctor advised him not to, his condition improved within a year.
Professor Denning says that if you must dry your clothes inside, make sure to keep windows open when the weather allows to let moisture escape, or use a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity levels.
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