A WORRIED Dumbarton woman admits she is growing concerned about her health after dampness and mould were discovered in her council property.
Lynn McCormick, 61, was told by a surveyor to immediately contact her doctor for a lung test after an infrared test reportedly discovered 66 per cent dampness in her sheltered accommodation.
However, West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) insist the survey conducted on Ms McCormick’s Willox Park home in fact returned 66 per cent humidity - not dampness and mould.
It comes as the local authority put the Dumbarton complex of 36 bungalows at the top of their priority list to tackle issues of concern.
Lynn - who lives on disability benefits as she is unable to work due to underlying health conditions - insists she wasn’t made aware by housing officers of the mould already resident in her new home when she moved into the property in June last year.
Speaking to the Reporter, she said: “I was told when I came to view the house, they had just done it up.
“I didn’t know about all this [dampness and mould].
“So, I don’t know if it was being covered up.”
As a result of the mould, mainly found in her bedroom, Lynn has been reduced to living on a sofa bed in the living room, unable to use the new bed she bought when she first entered the home.
And she described how the dampness and mould were only discovered after she volunteered her home to be subject to a council-run inspection survey carried out by the local authority as a ‘masterplan’ to identify issues at Willox Park and potential future investment opportunities.
That inspection discovered dampness in every room and the high presence of ‘black mould’ which prompted the instruction to seek a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible.
“I wasn’t sure until the chap had told me if it reaches the 70s it could kill me,” the 61-year-old added.
“At first, I thought he was kidding on. But no, he was serious.”
However, when contacted by the Reporter, WDC highlighted the decisions taken at a recent Housing and Communities committee in February, showing they have put Willox Park as a priority for help in dealing with any dampness or mould.
A spokesperson said: "We are listening and responding to our tenants and specialist surveys are underway across all homes in Willox Park, with the outcome determining our course of action.
“This tenant was one of three who provided extended access to their home for a more detailed and in-depth survey.
“As high levels of humidity were discovered, we will now install sensors in the walls and floors to identify the cause of moisture and what work is required next.
"We will continue to liaise with all tenants throughout this process, and during the creation of a masterplan for the future of the homes."
Ms McCormick is due to get a doctor’s appointment later this month where she is hoping she can find out if the mould has had an impact on her health.
WDC put tackling mould in local authority homes high on their agenda after tragedy hit the English town of Rochdale last year when two-year-old Awaab Ishak died.
Joanne Kearsley, the coroner, found that he "died as a result of a severe respiratory condition caused due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home environment" and "action to treat and prevent the mould was not taken".
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