Fine Red Dust In Lounge

[Budlet]

My daughter lives in a student house which was built early 1900's. They have had to abandon the front room as there is a very fine covering of a red dust over everything which appears to be coming in through the air vents. The atmosphere is very dry and is making everyone cough and have very 'tight' chests. The landlord is not willing to visit the property, but I am concerned thatin view of the respiratory issues, it might be some type of fungus. Anyone got any ideas?

[Old_Geezer]

Can only make guesses. It needs to be analysed really. Can't you get health care inspectors, or whoever, in from the council ?

Is there any brickwork going on outside ?

[Budlet]

The brickwork is newly painted outside, but there is no building work etc. Could it be woodworm or rot do you think? I have suggested she contacts the environmental health department at her local council to have it assessed. It sounds like pretty nasty stuff!

[Old_Geezer]

I think that would be my second assumption.
Does not seem a very good landlord to me.

Do the neighbours say they have a similar experience ? Might tell them if it is an isolated case in their residence or a general issue in the neighbourhood.

[vulcan42]

Couldn't somebody in the university analyse it, this might be quicker especially if there could be a health issue.

[janbee]

If in doubt, call in the council environmental health dept. They will assess risk and get landlord to repair any probs.

[The Builder]

A 1900 house most likely has a suspended floor. The air vents should be under the floor. I'd like to know what vents are above floor level, Bud.

Anyway, this could be a classic case of fairly advanced Dry Rot. When red dust (similar to brick dust) starts to appear, it's usually a sign that the fungus is fruiting. The red dust is the fruiting spores.

The landlord is a div. IF it is Dry Rot, then he's in for major repairs.
It needs to be positively identified right away.

It sounds as though it's well advanced. It is exactly the right time of year, and weather conditions.

Have a Dry Rot specialist look at it. It should cost you nothing. They can then inform the landlord.

Or... as Janbee says, contact Environmental health now. They'll take this very seriously.