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people live in fuel poverty face higher risk of exposure carbon monoxide poisoningExperts are sounding fresh warnings about the dangers of hidden killers, according to new research.
those who live in cold damp house Issues such as poor insulation, aging boilers and unaffordable repair costs combine to create unsafe living conditions and therefore a higher risk of exposure to toxic fumes.
Experts say this study is independentuncovering the “fatal intersection” between poverty, poor housing and gas use – with a “clear trend” showing those at the heart of the fuel poverty crisis are more likely to be at risk.
Simon FrancisMembers of the Alliance to End Fuel Poverty said: “The fact is that people living in cold, damp homes are more likely to experience carbon monoxide These issues expose the deadly intersection between poverty, poor housing and our continued dependence on natural gas.
“People who are fuel poor are more likely to be trapped in old, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated homes, which significantly increases the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide.”
Research shows those who say they live in cold, damp homes are more than twice as likely to have experienced high levels of carbon monoxide in their homes over the past 12 months, compared with UK adults as a whole.
Last year, 7% of UK adults suffered from high levels of carbon monoxide, while 18% of people unable to heat their homes reported problems with the toxic gas.
The survey of 2,000 UK adults also revealed that certain groups are more likely to report carbon monoxide problems, with the problem being particularly prevalent among young people aged 18 to 34 (16%) and households with children under 18 (11%).
Francis said those unable to get on the housing ladder were particularly vulnerable.
“In rental properties, tenants may feel unable to report safety concerns for fear of eviction or rent increases. This creates a toxic situation where serious dangers go unreported, life-threatening faults remain unaddressed and vulnerable families are at risk from invisible killers,” he said.
“Ending fuel poverty is about more than just lowering bills. It means tackling insecure housing, strengthening tenants’ rights and moving away from a fossil fuel system that puts people’s health at risk every winter.”
David Rudge, a father of six who was hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning last year, tells us independent Not enough people are aware of the “silent killer” gas that may be leaking into their homes.
“You tend to hear stories about it in nursing homes and hotels, and you know it’s some kind of danger, but until it actually happens to you, I don’t think people realize the significance of this silent killer,” he said.
Larch was delivering sandwiches in Blackpool when a carbon monoxide alarm installed by his landlord days earlier went off late one night, forcing him to move out of a flat above a shop around the corner from where his ex-partner and their four children lived.
Immediately after calling the gas company, engineer Abu Bobat noticed that Mr. Raqi, 61, said he had a headache and nausea and that his eyes were droopy.
Data collected by the UK Health Safety Authority between 1998 and 2019 found that 51% of carbon monoxide poisonings Deaths in England and Wales come from the two poorest quintiles of the population.
Rebecca Close, chief environmental epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Overall trends show that the number of deaths caused by unintentional, non-fire-related (UNFR) carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in England and Wales has declined over time.
“However, deaths still occur and data collected by the UK Health and Safety Agency (UKHSA) between 1998 and 2019 shows a clear upward trend in mortality as poverty levels increase.”
Meanwhile, research shows that nearly a third of the public (31%) say they do not have a working carbon monoxide detector in their home.
Ms Cross added: “Prevention strategies should not only raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide but also properly install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms, particularly in places where people often forget about them, such as garages, outbuildings and temporary accommodation. Correct installation and annual testing of household gas and oil appliances is also important.”
Phil Burrows, head of customer vulnerability at gas company Cadent, said the company was seeing more links between fuel poverty and carbon monoxide exposure, as people living in cold, damp homes blocked ventilation to stop heat escaping from the house, or felt unable to open windows.
“When you’re fuel poor and don’t have a lot of money to spare, one of the challenges people face is making difficult decisions about appliance repairs,” he said. As a result, he said, it often “goes unnoticed” because people don’t have the funds to provide the basics of heating their homes.
“We found that a lot of people were not maintaining their gas appliances,” he said. “Or maybe they’re using their appliances longer than usual because they can’t afford to replace them, and they might not be in the condition they should be.”
If gas appliances are not properly maintained, there is a greater risk of carbon monoxide emissions from incomplete combustion.
“Many gas appliances rely on ventilation to effectively burn and dissipate carbon monoxide,” he said. “Again, it’s all about the cost of heating the house.”
Ministry of Housing, communities and local government “No one should be forced to live in a dangerous home and we are taking decisive action to keep people safe by removing dangerous hazards,” a spokesman said.
“Our landmark Awab Laws will force landlords in the social rented sector to address hazards, including carbon monoxide emergencies, more quickly, and tenants can hold landlords accountable through the Housing Ombudsman or the courts.”