July 25, 2007

experts respond to news of further severe flooding in the UK

Dr Roland Fox FHEA, Plant Pathologist and Lecturer in Crop Protection, University of Reading, said:

“The potential health hazards associated with continued exposure to black mould include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. Occasionally these symptoms can be severe.

“Moulds are fungi that reproduce by releasing microscopic spores that waft unseen through the air. If mould spores land indoors on damp wood, paper, fabric, carpets or food, they can grow and digest them in order to survive.

“In flooded building the only reliable way to eliminate mould and their spores is to control moisture by drying the affected surfaces. Clean mould off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry them completely. Replace any absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles if they are mouldy.”

Dr Simon Jones FRGS, Physical Geographer, University of Glamorgan, said:

“While it may be difficult to attribute a severe (slow rise) flood event specifically to climate change, it does highlight our continued vulnerability to meteorological (and other natural) phenomena. In the UK, society has largely ignored such vulnerabilities to river flooding, coastal inundation and other catastrophic events, in comparison to other European nations. The flooding in the south (and north in previous weeks) may well now highlight to need to address society’s response to changes brought about by an evolving climate, and redress out confidence in engineering and planning to provide a solution to every situation and the minimising of all risks. This is simply an impossible challenge.”