6-month-old Baby Living in UK Public Supported Housing
Mold Spreads in Home, Worsening Bronchial Health
Playing with Toys, Immune System Weakens, Hospitalized
A story has emerged from the UK about a 6-month-old baby boy who ended up hospitalized after playing with a moldy toy. The British tabloid 'The Sun' recently shared the story of Emma Needham, a woman living in Bolton, a town in the northwest of England. Emma reportedly resides in a home managed by 'Bolton at Home,' an organization that provides public supported housing services in Bolton and nearby areas.
Theo, a 6-month-old living at 'Bolton at Home' in the Bolton area of Northwest England, is relying on a breathing tube. Photo by The Sun
Emma claims that living in this house has negatively affected her children's health. Her 2-year-old first child, Lincoln, has been treated multiple times for bronchitis, and her 6-month-old Theo is currently dependent on a breathing tube in the hospital. She first reported the mold problem in the house during her pregnancy with Theo last April, but the issue remained unresolved even after the baby was born.
Previously, Emma noticed green mold growing on Lincoln's toys while cleaning the house. The mold in the house had spread onto the toys. She said, "Children at that age like to put toys in their mouths, and Lincoln was putting a moldy toy in his mouth." She reported this to the organization, but instead of taking proper action, they only told her to "remove the mold with vinegar."
However, a few months later, black mold had spread to the bathroom. Despite repeatedly informing the company that there were children in the house who were unwell, they only responded that they had to wait until action could be taken. Meanwhile, Theo, who has a weakened immune system, became increasingly ill to the point of struggling to breathe and ultimately had to be hospitalized. He is now reliant on a breathing tube.
The incident was brought to public attention during a Bolton City Council meeting on the 27th of last month. Following this, a spokesperson for Bolton at Home stated, "We take damp and mold very seriously and have procedures in place to address issues promptly. When the customer first reported the mold, we took urgent action to remove it and instructed a professional inspector to examine the house."
Dr. Christine Lee, a specialist in gastroenterology, explained, "For people with healthy immune systems and digestive tracts, accidentally ingesting a small amount of mold usually does not cause significant problems," but added, "Patients with weakened immune systems, infants, and the elderly are at higher risk of serious infections."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
