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Statistics New Zealand Wants To Know How Many Kiwis Are Living In Mouldy Homes

Monday 14 August 2017, 4:24PM

By Beckie Wright

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The 2018 census will include questions about the dryness of New Zealand homes. Statistics New Zealand are setting out to calculate how many Kiwis are living in damp or mouldy homes. Government statistician Liz MacPherson said she wanted to help create a better picture of the state of homes around the country.

Scheduled for March 6, this will be the first time since 2001 that a census has included new topics. MacPherson said, “Census topics need to reflect the changing information needs of New Zealand, and be balanced with the ability to compare data over time… Our consultation highlighted the importance of collecting information on aspects of housing quality that affect health, and that the highest priorities were information about mould, dampness, and access to basic amenities.”

The census exists to collect community data to be used by the central and local government, iwi, businesses and community groups to make informed decisions on planning services and allocating funding. The new questions are a relevant, welcome addition to the census, as they address persisting problems in New Zealand.

For example, mould and dampness is a real problem in New Zealand. The average New Zealand family produces around 8 litres of moisture in the home every day from activities such as cooking, showering and breathing. Dampness can be caused by moisture getting into your house from outside, underneath or through leaky plumbing, leading to mould.

Mould causes a whole range of health issues, such as allergies, respiratory tract infections, headaches and fatigue. Symptoms of dampness include musty smells, rotting wood or mould, dampness and stains and mould, stains or watermarks on shoes, clothes, behind paintings or furniture and on ceilings and walls

Damp homes can be managed by correct insulation, heating and ventilation, but if you think your house may be affected by mould, you need to contact a certified mould remediation company like Chemcare. They are a local New Zealand company that provides specialist home safety services, such as meth decontamination, P lab decontamination, asbestos, mould, biohazards and the after effects of fires or floods.

Chemcare is IICRC certified and their technicians follow the S520 standard for mould removal. They use advanced equipment to accurately diagnose the moisture content and then use specialised airflow equipment to ensure mould spores are contained and the job is completed in the most efficient way. Aside from expert mould removal, Chemcare offers P lab testing advice and meth cleaning in commercial and residential sites.

With new data from the 2018 census, it will be easier to battle mould and dampness issues in New Zealand, improving the health and happiness of those living in damp homes.