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Mouldy buildings pose a double hazard

by | Jan 17, 2025 | Education, National, News

According to the Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Built Environment, mouldy buildings pose a dual threat by compromising structural integrity and prolonged exposure by occupants of these mouldy buildings could lead to respiratory illnesses.

They stated that mould often grows in hidden spaces such as inside walls or under floors making damage difficult to be determined until it becomes exposed through significant deterioration over a period of time.

The faculty stated that the severity of damage depends on factors such as the type of mould, moisture levels and the duration of its growth and they also added that even small amounts of mould can cause significant damage.

It also weakens materials as it thrives on organic substances such as wood, insulation and drywall and, over time, this could result in structural damage such as warping timber, sagging floors or even collapse.

Meanwhile, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Specialist Centre’s internal medicine and respiratory illnesses department issued a warning that mould exposure, especially indoors, can create serious respiratory issues.

The severity of the issues depends on factors such as the duration and intensity of exposure, the type of mould and the health of an exposed individual and, if left untreated, could result in bronchiectasis where airways become permanently damaged.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

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