Letter: Asthmatic houses
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: I am surprised not to see discussions in the press on two likely causes of asthma (report, 9 January; letters, 14, 17 January).
One is the excessive use of solvent-based chemical treatments in houses for rising damp. As an architect, I keep coming across situations where surveyors are covering themselves against any claim by saying that chemical treatments may be advisable. This is then changed by ill-informed mortgage lenders into an imperative: "We will not give you a mortgage unless this treatment is carried out."
This often results in multiple treatments, one each time a property changes hands. The time will come when substantial claims will be made against mortgage lenders for insisting on unnecessary treatments that may have damaged peoples' health.
The second possible cause is the aggressive perfumes that manufacturers of household detergents, cleaners, polishes and so on add to their products in the mistaken belief that we need to be able to smell them to know that they are working. These nasty smells are getting worse all the time as manufacturers constantly tweak their products.
I used to visit a house where a teenager suffered badly from asthma. Every time I crossed the threshold I was met by a strong blast of fabric softener.
PATRICIA A TUTT
Peel, Isle of Man
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments