There has been a health warning over clothes dried on radiators

Do you dry your clothing on radiators?

Medical experts in Manchester have warned about the health dangers posed by a common mould which is found in most homes.

Professor David Denning and his team at the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester have issued the warning after treating a growing number of patients who have inhaled Aspergillus fungal spores.

Clothes draped on drying frames or warm radiators can raise moisture levels in the home by up to 30 per cent which is the ideal breeding conditions for mould spores know as Aspergillus.

Aspergillus can pose a serious health risk to people with weakened immune systems or severe asthma.

Professor Denning said: ‘’One load of wet washing contains almost two litres of water, which is released into the room. Most of us are either immune to the fungus which grows in these humid conditions, or have a sufficiently healthy system to fight the infection. In asthma sufferers it can produce coughing and wheeziness, and in people with weak or damaged immune systems, such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, Aids patients and people who have an auto immune disease, the fungus can cause pulmonary aspergillosis – a condition which can cause irreparable, and sometime fatal, damage to the lungs and sinuses.  My advice would be when in doubt dry wet washing outside, in a tumble dryer or in a well-ventilated indoor space away from bedrooms and living areas to be safe rather than sorry.’’

I have dried my clothes on a clothes horse for many year, however, my daughter suffers from asthma, it has definitely made me think twice about where to dry out clothes. Will it change the way you dry your washing?