MOULD MISERY
Callander resident says health is affected by year-long issue
A Callander woman is calling on Stirling Council to finally resolve a year-long mould issue at her home which she believes is having a major impact on her health.
Christine Parkinson moved to the property in the town in September 2021 after being advised to move from her previous home in Killin on medical grounds and difficulties with accessing hospital appointments due to the public transport network.
She has been living on high-risk chemotherapy for ten years due to an ongoing diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis, as well as having a range of other conditions including fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalitis.
But she now claims that unresolved issues with mould are adding to her problems, causing allergic reactions which can last days as well as chest problems, making her unable to use the bathroom.
The 55-year-old has been in regular contact with the council over the issue but argues that she has been ignored in her efforts to find a permanent solution to the issue, with officials visiting the house suggesting fixes including the use of ‘anti-mould’ paint.
Christine told the Observer: “Since the wet room was fitted in January 2022, it’s been one full year of mould and I’ve had six different inspectors out to look at it from the council but they just blame me.
“I’ve never had a problem with damp anywhere else and I know how to air out a bathroom.
“It’s causing me to develop really bad allergic reactions and I have a constantly bad chest which makes me want to cough all the time.
“I worked in housing for 25 years prior to becoming ill and I know that this isn’t acceptable; I got a phone call earlier this week saying that they wanted to come out to paint the mould with anti-fungal paint but that is just putting a sticking plaster on the problem.
“They are not dealing with the main cause of the issue, which is the external back wall and I’m just tired of hitting a brick wall with the repairs team at the council on this.”
As part of her efforts to resolve the problems, Christine also secured a letter from her GP in Callander in which the doctor says the current situation at the property is “not ideal” and that they would “support her being rehoused as soon as possible”.
In response, a Stirling Council spokesman said: “Staff from the council’s Housing Service fitted a wet floor and adapted shower to the property in January 2022.
“Following a call-out to the property in early December 2022, staff have been supporting the tenant to negate the build-up of moisture.
“The service is happy to continue to work with the tenant to address her dissatisfaction.
“The EPC rating assessment for this property was carried out in October 2022 and showed it is highly energy efficient.
“A temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide monitor was also installed at the property in December which assists both the Housing Service and the tenant in understanding the level of heating and ventilation within the property.
“We are happy to discuss these issues further with Mrs Parkinson.”