HDR Partners

Dust mites and the presence of mould or fungus can lead to a range of health threats commonly associated with damp, humid and mouldy conditions. Issues include the triggering of various allergies, asthma and the various effects of mould and fungal infection toxins.

Cold temperatures indoors can be just as damaging as cold temperatures outdoors. A healthy indoor temperature is 18-21°C. Respiratory conditions such as flu, pneumonia and bronchitis can be caused or aggravated by cold temperatures, and they can also increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions like strokes and heart attacks

High indoor temperatures with no regulation measures can be highly damaging. They can lead to dehydration, heatstroke, cardiovascular and respiratory issues.

Asbestos and Manufactured Mineral Fibres, which were formerly used to insulate buildings, are notorious factors in the development of respiratory problems. Asbestos can cause significant damage to lungs, including lung cancer, while MMF can cause damage to skin, eyes and lungs.

Some chemicals which are used to treat timber and mould growth can cause significant issues to building occupants’ health. There is a risk from breathing the chemicals in, any contact they might have with bare skin and swallowing of the chemical.

Faulty boilers, among other things, can lead to excess levels of carbon monoxide in a property along with nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and smoke. Excess amounts of the above gases can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, disorientation, unconsciousness, breathing problems and death.

Lead ingestion from paint, water pipes, soil and fumes from leaded petrol can cause lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can cause nervous disorders, mental health issues, infertility, blood production issues and death.

Radon gas, which comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, can enter a home through a basement or cellar floor in an airborne state, but also dissolved in water. Exposure to radon daughters has been linked to the development of lung cancer

Fuel gas escaping into the atmosphere within a property displaces the oxygen in the air and makes it difficult to breathe. It can lead to suffocation, unconsciousness, brain damage and death.

Fuel gas escaping into the atmosphere within a property displaces the oxygen in the air and makes it difficult to breathe. It can lead to suffocation, unconsciousness, brain damage and death.

There are many hazards associated with the lack of space needed for normal living, sleeping and general household life. A lack of space can cause psychological distress and mental disorders in addition to increased risk of hygiene issues, accidents and personal space and compromised privacy

A property must be kept secure against unauthorised entry in terms of entry and exit points. Associated hazards here include fear of burglary occurring, stress and anguish caused by burglary and any injuries caused by an intruder.

Inadequate natural or artificial light can cause physical and psychological harm. Physical issues include eyestrain; mental problems can include depression due to a lack of natural light.

Exposure to noise within the property can cause physical and psychological damage. Issues include problems resulting from a lack of sleep, poor concentration, headaches and general anxiety.

Health hazards here relate to poor design and layout which make it hard to keep a property clean and hygienic, therefore attracting pests, and inadequate and unhygienic provision for storing household waste. Potential health issues include stomach and intestinal disease, infection, asthma, allergies, disease from rats and physical hazards.

Poor facilities provided for the storing, preparation and cooking of food can cause significant hygiene issues. Health problems stemming from inadequate food safety include stomach and intestinal disease, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach upset and dehydration.

Poor facilities to promote personal hygiene, including personal and clothes washing facilities, sanitation and drainage, can mean increased threat of infections and threat to mental health. Specific problems can include stomach and intestinal disease, skin infections and depression.

Water contamination by bacteria, parasites, viruses and chemical pollutants causes a significant risk to health when the water is used for drinking, cooking, washing and sanitation. Threats posed include dehydration, fatigue, headaches, dry skin, bladder infections, cholera and Legionnaires’ Disease.

Falls associated with a bath, shower or similar facility can cause a range of physical injuries. Some injuries include cuts, lacerations, swellings and bruising.

Falls on any level surface denote falls indoors, in gardens and on paths, including falls associated with trip steps, thresholds or ramps where the change in level is less than 300mm. Some injuries include bruising, fractures, head, brain and spinal injuries.

Falls associated with stairs and ramps denote falls where the change in level is greater than 300mm. They include internal stairs or ramps within a property, external steps or ramps associated with the property, access to the property and to shared facilities or means of escape from fire, and falls over stairs, ramp or step guarding. Some injuries include bruising, fractures, head, brain and spinal injuries.

Falls between levels denote falls from one level to another, inside or outside a dwelling where the difference is more than 300mm. They include falls from balconies, landings or out of windows. Some injuries include bruising, fractures, head, brain injuries, spinal injuries and death.

There are many electrical hazards associated with faulty equipment or exposed wiring. Injuries include electric shocks, burns and potentially death in the case of strong currents or prolonged exposure.

Uncontrolled fire and associated smoke present various threats to health, including injuries from clothing or hair catching fire. Some injuries include smoke inhalation, burns and death.

Injuries caused by contact with a hot flame or fire, hot objects and non-water-based liquids are common. Scalds are caused by contact with hot liquids and vapours. Injuries include burns, scalds, permanent scarring and death.

There is a risk of physical injury from trapping body parts in architectural features, e.g. trapping fingers in doors and windows and colliding with objects such as windows, doors and low ceilings. This can result in physical injuries such as cuts and bruising to the body.

There is a physical injury risk from the blast of an explosion, from debris generated by the blast and from partial or total collapse of a building as a result of the explosion. Health hazards include physical injuries, crushing, bruising, puncture, fractures, brain injuries, spinal injuries and death.

There is a risk of physical strain associated with functional space and other features at the dwelling. Injuries include strains and sprains.

Inadequate fixing, disrepair or adverse weather conditions can lead to the threat of the dwelling collapsing or part of the fabric being displaced or falling. Health threats include various physical injuries and death.