I have worked in settlements where families burn wood, coal, or even plastic and rubber for heating in winter. Where 8 people sleep in two rooms with no ventilation. Where damp runs down the walls and black mold grows in every corner. Respiratory disease in these conditions is not surprising — it is the predictable result of housing that no one should have to live in. While we fight for better housing, we must also protect the lungs we have.
Indoor smoke is the most immediate respiratory danger I see. If you heat with solid fuel, ensure ventilation — even cracking a window helps. Never burn plastic, rubber, or painted wood — the fumes contain chemicals that cause permanent lung damage, especially in children whose lungs are still developing
Damp and mold cause asthma, chronic bronchitis, and make every respiratory infection worse. Wipe visible mold with a mix of water and vinegar or bleach. Open windows for at least 15 minutes daily even in winter. Hang wet laundry outside when possible — drying clothes indoors adds enormous amounts of moisture to the air
A cough lasting more than 3 weeks, especially with weight loss, night sweats, or blood in spit, must be investigated for tuberculosis. TB is curable with free treatment, but it is also highly contagious. In Roma communities, TB rates are 3–5 times the national average in several European countries. Early testing protects your entire family
Children who grow up in smoky or moldy environments have permanently reduced lung capacity — they will carry less healthy lungs their entire lives. Even if you cannot change your housing situation immediately, reducing smoke exposure and ventilating as much as possible protects their developing lungs
The WHO identifies household air pollution as the fourth greatest global health risk. In Roma settlements I have worked in, over 60% of children had recurring respiratory infections — rates that dropped significantly when families improved ventilation and reduced indoor burning of waste materials. The housing conditions are not the families' fault, but adaptation strategies save lives while the systemic change is fought for.
Today: check for visible mold in your home and clean it with diluted bleach or vinegar. Open at least one window for 15 minutes. If anyone in your household has had a cough for more than 3 weeks, go to the health center for a TB screening — it is free and it takes 15 minutes.