00:00Leeds has been identified as the UK city with the highest level of online searches for damp
00:05and mould advice, according to new research from Appliances Direct. The company's damp
00:10and mould hotspot study analysed Google search data across the country and found Leeds recorded
00:15the greatest number of searches per head of population. Researchers say that equates to
00:20almost 9 searches per month for every 1,000 residents, or around 4,500 searches each month.
00:27Sheffield was also listed within the national top 10. The study links the findings to Leeds'
00:32long and wet winter period, which it says lasts for about 8 months of the year, with average
00:37daytime temperatures during that time of around 9 degrees Celsius. Health bodies have previously
00:43warned that cold and damp housing can contribute to respiratory problems, asthma flare-ups and
00:48infections, particularly among children, older people and those with existing conditions. Estimates
00:54suggest nearly 1.3 million homes nationwide are affected. The NHS is thought to spend
01:00around £1.4 billion each year treating illnesses linked to cold, damp homes. Wider economic costs
01:08associated with poor housing conditions have been estimated at more than £15 billion annually
01:12across the UK. Experts say prevention is usually more cost effective than major repair work and
01:19advise maintaining steady heating, improving ventilation and dealing with condensation or leaks promptly,
01:24to reduce longer term structural damage and to protect health.
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