A 32-year-old man has developed a life-threatening blood infection caused by household mould, after living in a fungal-infected property where the spores were ‘covered’ with paint.
Matthew Langsworth, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, spent a decade pointing out to his landlord that there was black mold in the bathroom, kitchen and bedroom but claimed it had been “redecorated”.
Now, he has developed a condition that leaves him so breathless he can “barely walk” and last year caused a collapsed lung that resulted in fatal sepsis.
The condition, called self.Invasive aspergillosis can be caused by inhaling fungal spores which consequently spread from the lungs to the blood and other areas of the body.
Tests have reportedly confirmed that Mr Langsworth’s infection has also spread to his intestine.
While doctors have reportedly confirmed that mold exposure is behind Mr. Langsworth’s health problems, he said he faces the choice of “die or be homeless” as officials consider the apartment, which It is subsidized by the local council, it is “fit to live in”. .
Social housing provider Stonewater said they replaced “their entire bathroom and kitchen” following a leak in 2023 and, more recently, installed new flooring.
They said a survey this month found mold on the shower curtain, in the bathroom sink drain and in the dust drawer of the washing machine.
Matthew Langsworth, 32, has developed a life-threatening infection after inhaling mold spores that were “hiding” in his home.
They also discovered that the bathroom exhaust fan was not working, but claim they had not been informed of this previously.
“My life has been ruined physically, mentally and financially by this ordeal,” Mr Langsworth said.
‘Before all this happened I lived a very active life. I was in the gym two or three times a week.
‘I would do six to seven mile walks over the weekend. Now I can’t even go to the store without having to stop.
“I would describe it as the worst experience of my life. I would describe it as hell on earth.
‘In 2013 I noticed it for the first time and they did a series of works that obviously did not eradicate it. I have had continuous intestinal problems and skin conditions.
“A doctor has told me that everything I have experienced in the last 10 years is related to mold.”
Langsworth identified alarming mold stains around the kitchen pipes, throughout the bathroom, in the master bedroom and in the hallways.
“In my master bedroom, all the walls have marks,” she said.
Langsworth claimed extensive mold on his property was “redecorated” rather than being properly treated.
The mold was said to be in the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and hallways, affecting about “75%” of the apartment.
‘Right now, almost 75 percent of the property has mold.
‘The owner’s position is “let’s just delete this and it’s not a major issue.”‘
In August 2023, he left his apartment for three months while work on leaks and black mold was completed.
But two weeks after returning, his lung collapsed due to pneumonia, leaving him hospitalized for five days.
Within three hours of being discharged, he developed fatal septic shock (an extreme reaction of the immune system to an infection) and was rushed to the hospital for a week.
“The doctors dried my tears because I thought I was going to die,” she said.
‘The doctor told me my body was doing the best it could to fight it and then decided it couldn’t take it anymore.
“The mold has attacked my body.”
He added: ‘They (the council) have declared the property fit to live in, which means I am not eligible for rehousing. If I leave the property, I become intentionally homeless. So (my choice is) die or become homeless.
According to Government figures, around 5,000 cases of asthma and 8,500 new respiratory illnesses occur each year in England due to household mould.
‘Despite what happened, it took until April this year for the owner to agree to carry out further works on the property.
‘Luckily I have a friend who let me stay at her house for three months straight to try to prevent me from getting seriously ill again.
‘She hears that my breathing gets very, very bad just going up and down stairs.
“I get out of breath, sweat and end up vomiting.”
And he added: ‘I want to ask the city council: ‘would you live there with your children knowing that this is happening to a person?’ I already know the answer would be no. It’s unforgivable.’
Living in properties with mold is known to cause a variety of health problems including respiratory infections such as aspergillus, asthma and allergies.
Mold, a microscopic fungus, causes these conditions by releasing thousands of toxic microscopic particles into the atmosphere.
Signs that you may be affected by household mold include prolonged coughing, wheezing, or feeling short of breath.
Two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by black mold at his home in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, in 2020.
Shocking images reveal the extent of black mold spores in the flat where tragic Awaab Ishak lived. The toilet was leaking due to faulty pipes and flushed continuously.
Other symptoms include worsening asthma and other respiratory conditions or those involving inflammation of the airways.
Government figures show that in 2019, around 5,000 cases of asthma and around 8,500 lower respiratory tract infections among children and adults were linked to damp and mold in the home in England.
Between one and two percent of new cases of hay fever each year are thought to be caused by damp and mold.
In December 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died after prolonged exposure to mold in his Rochdale home.
He lived in a one-bedroom apartment with his father and stepmother.
The family reported the mold problem to the housing association that provided the flat, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), three years before the boy’s death, but were advised to “paint it over”.
In June 2020, Awaab’s father filed a lawsuit against the owners over recurring mold, but repairs had to wait until the case was resolved.
Mold on the floor contributed to Awaab developing a continuous cough that prevented him from breathing through his nose in the final weeks of his life.
Awaab was taken to Rochdale urgent care center on December 19 that year with difficulty breathing and died a few days later.
A Stonewater spokesperson said: “We have worked incredibly hard since Langsford first reported a minor leak at his home in 2023 to ensure the water damage that occurred has been fully rectified.” This work has included complete replacement of the kitchen and bathroom and, most recently, installation of new flooring throughout.
‘Mr Langsford remains concerned that his home is affected by damp and mold and that this is affecting his health. We visited the flat on 2 December 2024 to complete a further damp and mold survey.
‘The inspector did not identify any structural defects in Mr Langford’s house, but there was mould.
“Of course, we will continue to work with Mr. Langsford to complete any additional repairs that may be necessary and continue to provide peace of mind that your home is free of moisture and mold.”