A warning has been issued that drying laundry indoors in winter can lead to lung damage.
According to the Daily Express on the 13th, a research team from the University of Manchester warned that "increased humidity from drying laundry indoors in winter creates a favorable environment for the growth of 'Aspergillus' mold."
The research team further noted, "Recently, there has been an increase in patients who suffer from diseases after inhaling Aspergillus mold spores," adding, "About 2 liters of moisture are released indoors from a single load of laundry."
Aspergillus is a mold commonly found in damp interiors, but the research team from the University of Manchester claims it poses a risk to patients with lung damage, such as those with asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The research team also added that individuals with weakened immune systems, particularly cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, AIDS patients, and those with autoimmune diseases, are at an even greater risk of developing pulmonary aspergillosis.
Dr. Rebecca Drummond, an immunologist and immunotherapy expert at the University of Birmingham, stated, "Prolonged exposure to mold can lead to serious health issues, and in severe cases, it can be fatal."
Dr. Drummond recommended that "drying clothes outdoors is the most desirable, and when drying indoors, one should ventilate regularly or use dehumidifiers or heating functions to control humidity."