For nearly a decade, my family and I have been trapped in a home infested with mould. This toxic environment has severely impacted our health, particularly affecting my children. My daughter suffers from Marfan's syndrome, a life-threatening illness, and my youngest is autistic. Despite the physical symptoms we've experienced - including coughing up blood and nosebleeds - medical professionals have dismissed our concerns as mental health issues or mere health anxieties.

Mould is not just an inconvenience; it's a silent killer that can lead to hundreds of different health problems if left unchecked. Yet landlords, housing associations, and councils often neglect to address these issues promptly or effectively.

We are calling for systemic change: medical professionals must take mould-related health problems seriously rather than attributing them to mental health disorders. We demand access to reliable tests that can affirm the presence of mould toxins in our bodies.

Furthermore, landlords – including housing associations and councils – must be held accountable for resolving mould issues swiftly before they escalate into severe health crises. The current lackadaisical approach is unacceptable; it puts tenants' lives at risk while perpetrators face minimal consequences.

This petition isn't just about my family; it's about all families living in similar conditions who are suffering silently because their legitimate concerns are being dismissed or ignored by those who should be protecting them.

Please sign this petition to demand recognition of the serious impact of mould on physical health by medical professionals and insist on immediate action from landlords when such hazardous conditions exist in homes. 

Living in an environment with mould has led to the development of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), a condition characterised by the abnormal activation of mast cells, which play a key role in the body's allergic responses. The constant exposure to mould has triggered a hypersensitivity in my immune system, causing debilitating symptoms such as chronic fatigue, severe headaches, and persistent gastrointestinal issues.

It wasn't just me who became ill; my two daughters and our four cats were also affected. I experience daily reactions to my environment, including to essential vitamins. Ironically, I have a vitamin deficiency due to the mould exposure, but I am unable to take vitamin supplements because of adverse reactions. Additionally, I react to most foods, skincare products, perfumes, the weather, my monthly cycle, cleaning products, vegetables, and even the outside environment. Despite the profound impact on our daily lives, MCAS remains unrecognised by the NHS, leaving us without access to adequate medical support and treatment. This lack of recognition has compounded the challenges of managing the condition, forcing us to navigate a complex and often frustrating healthcare landscape in search of relief and validation.

I want the NHS to recognise MCAS and other mould toxicity issues, and I advocate for the availability of testing. Housing associations and councils need to be held liable for severe mould outbreaks, and it should be mandatory to replace all porous items in homes of disrepair. Alternate accommodation should be offered to promote healing.