Residents of flats say rights are violated

RESIDENTS of damp, mouldy and smelly flats in Rialto in Dublin plan to deliver evidence of their living conditions to Dublin City Council today.

Residents will bring contents of tin cans, samples of damp and faecal waste contained in sealed plastic bags, inhalers, medicines, prescription asthma masks for babies, and stories detailing their concerns to the meeting today.

Last May, unprecedented levels of damp, mould and sewage pushed the residents to declare that their human right to housing was being seriously violated.

Research showed that nearly three-quarters of the Rialto residents surveyed are living in damp conditions; 64% report mould and a staggering 84% claim that sewage comes up through their sinks and baths.

More than 91% of the residents surveyed say that their health is being affected by the conditions, with children the most vulnerable victims to asthma and other bronchial problems.

Today, the residents of Dolphin House will reveal new evidence on how their homes are making them sick, when they present a second Human Rights Monitoring Report at a public meeting.

They will show that results of a new analysis of mould samples carried out this month are worse than when first monitored in May 2010.

Analysis carried out again this month shows:

* Much higher than normal concentrations of mould spores in the indoor air.

* Visible mould in the properties is consistent with medium-to-high mould infestation (US EPA).

* Presence of Aspergillus fumigatus — a fungus associated with pulmonary ailments.

* The nature and extent of the mould present in the flats poses a potential health risk to occupants.

According to the residents, the second monitoring survey results are disappointing as not only are they very far off the targets set, but they are marginally worse.

The first analysis of damp and mould was carried out by the National University of Ireland (NUI) Biology Department before May 2010.

The latest analysis confirms that nothing really has changed for the residents..

A spokeswoman for the group said the Rialto residents hoped new Government ministers and representatives will respond to the residents the way they did when they were in opposition.

At today’s meeting, parents will talk about their health and the health of their children.

Residents with generational ties to the estate will also outline why Dolphin is the only home they want to live in, despite its structural problems.