Carbon monoxide a hidden ‘killer’ in fuel poverty crisis, new research reveals
As experts issue new warnings about the dangers of the hidden killer, new research reveals that people living in fuel poverty are at higher risk of suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
People living in cold, damp homes are more likely to be at risk of toxic gases, as issues such as poor insulation, aging boilers and inappropriate repair costs combine to create unsafe living conditions.
Experts say research is shared IndependentIt reveals a “deadly intersection” between poverty, poor housing and gas use – with a “clear trend” showing people at the heart of the fuel poverty crisis are more likely to be at risk.
Simon Francis, of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “The fact that people living in cold, damp homes are significantly more likely to experience carbon monoxide problems reveals the deadly intersection between poverty, poor housing and our continued dependence on gas.
“People short of fuel are more likely to be trapped in old, neglected or poorly ventilated properties, significantly increasing the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide.”
The research shows that people who say they live in a cold, damp home are twice as likely to have experienced high levels of carbon monoxide in their home in the last 12 months, compared to adults in the UK.
Seven per cent of adults in the UK experienced problems with high levels of carbon monoxide last year, while 18 per cent of people unable to heat their homes reported problems with the toxic gas.
The survey of 2,000 UK adults also showed that certain groups were significantly more likely to report carbon monoxide problems; this was particularly common among 18- to 34-year-olds (16 percent) and households with children under 18 (11 percent).
Mr Francis said those unable to get on the housing ladder were particularly vulnerable.
“In rental housing, tenants may not report safety concerns for fear of eviction or rent increases. This creates a toxic situation where serious hazards go unreported, life-threatening malfunctions go unfixed, and vulnerable households are exposed to an invisible killer,” he said.
“Ending fuel poverty isn’t just about lowering bills. It means tackling unsafe housing, strengthening tenants’ rights and moving away from fossil fuel systems that put people’s health at risk every winter.”
David Rudge, a father of six who was hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning last year, said: Independent It turns out that not enough people are aware of the “silent killer” gas that can leak into their homes.
“You tend to hear stories about it happening in care homes and hotels and you know it’s some kind of danger, but I don’t think people realize the significance of this silent killer until it happens to you,” he said.
Mr Rudge, who runs a sandwich delivery in Blackpool, was forced to move out of the flat above a corner shop where he lived with his former partner’s four children after the carbon monoxide alarm installed by his landlord went off late one night.
After calling the gas company, engineer Abu Bobat immediately noticed Mr Rudge’s eyes were drooping as the 61-year-old said he was experiencing headaches and nausea.
Data from the UK Health Safety Agency, collected between 1998 and 2019, shows that 51 per cent of carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by In England and Wales, deaths occurred in the two poorest sections of the population.
Rebecca Close, UKHSA’s chief environmental epidemiologist, said: “General trends show that deaths from intentional, non-fire-related (UNFR) carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in England and Wales have decreased over time.
“But deaths are still occurring and UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) data collected between 1998 and 2019 shows a clear trend of deaths increasing with increasing deprivation.”
Meanwhile, the research shows that almost a third (31 per cent) of the public say they do not have a working carbon monoxide detector in their home.
Ms Close added: “Prevention strategies should target not only increased awareness of the dangers of CO, but also the correct installation and maintenance of CO alarms, particularly in places people often forget about, such as garages, outbuildings and temporary accommodation. Correct installation and annual testing of domestic gas and fuel-burning appliances is also important.”
Phil Burrows, head of customer sentiment at gas company Cadent, said the company was seeing more links between fuel poverty and exposure to carbon monoxide as people living in cold, damp homes blocked ventilation or were unable to open windows to prevent heat escaping from the property.
“When you’re running low on fuel and don’t have a lot of spare money lying around, one of the challenges people face is making really tough decisions about getting appliances serviced,” he said. As a result, it often “goes under the radar” because people don’t have the money to provide the basic supplies needed to heat their homes, he said.
“What we found is that a lot of people don’t have their gas appliances serviced,” he said. “Or maybe they’re just making do with the tools longer than they normally would because they can’t afford to replace them and they’re probably not in the condition they need to be.”
When a gas appliance is not properly maintained, there is a higher risk of emitting carbon monoxide due to incomplete combustion.
“Many gas appliances rely on ventilation to burn effectively and also disperse carbon monoxide,” he said. “Again, this is all linked to the costs associated with heating homes.”
A Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “No one should be forced to live in a dangerous home and we are taking decisive action to provide people with safety and security by removing dangerous hazards.
“The landmark Awaab Bill will force landlords in the social rent sector to fix hazards, including carbon monoxide emergencies, more quickly, ensuring tenants hold landlords to account through the housing ombudsman or the courts.”
