Aligarh. Often people ignore the dampness and moisture seen on the walls of their houses considering it to be a defect in the house, but this problem is not limited to just furniture or walls. The moisture present inside the house can have a deep and dangerous effect on human health. According to experts, fungal and bacterial infections develop due to dampness, which can cause respiratory diseases, allergies and skin diseases. In such a situation, it is important to understand why dampness occurs in houses, what are the disadvantages of it and what measures should be taken to prevent it.
Giving information, Associate Professor of Geography Department of AMU, Saleha Jamal said that the problem of dampness and moisture on the walls is often seen in many houses. Due to this, not only the household furniture and other items get damaged, but this problem also has a serious impact on human health. There are many reasons behind moisture in homes, among which environmental reasons are the most prominent. If the house is located in a humid climate, where there is more rainfall or which is near the coastal area, then due to high moisture level in the environment, the problem of dampness becomes common.
He said that apart from this, underground water is a major reason for moisture on the walls and floors inside the houses. Due to capillary action, the moisture below the ground gradually gets transferred to the walls and reaches the top. This problem is seen even more in old buildings. In buildings that are about 20–25 years old, the binding of cement and bricks becomes weak, due to which they start absorbing more moisture. Many times, moisture also becomes a major reason for leakage in underground pipe lines, especially this problem is more common in bathroom and kitchen areas. The effect of dampness is not limited to household items only, but it can also prove to be extremely dangerous for health.
The professor said that due to moisture, fungal growth i.e. mold starts forming on the walls, along with this bacteria and micro germs also start growing. It has a direct effect on the human respiratory system. This condition can be very harmful for patients like asthma and COPD. The effect of humidity is more serious on newborn babies and the elderly. Apart from this, allergy problems also increase due to dampness, such as frequent sneezing, cough, wheezing while breathing, dizziness and feeling of discomfort in the body.
He said that staying in a humid environment for a long time can also cause skin related diseases, because the risk of fungal and bacterial infections increases. Some important measures can be adopted to prevent moisture and dampness. While constructing a house, it is very important to use Damp Proof Course (DPC), so that moisture does not transfer from one place to another. Nowadays many modern technologies are available, by which the problem of dampness can be prevented to a great extent. Old buildings should be repaired and renovated from time to time. Apart from this, if there is any leakage anywhere in the underground pipe lines, it is necessary to get it repaired immediately, so that the moisture cannot spread further. By adopting these measures, the damage caused by dampness in homes and its ill effects on health can be avoided.
