Transport for London (TfL) has revealed the source of an odour at a key stop on the Elizabeth Line. A customer reported the stench to the authority, claiming it smelled of “mould”.
They described “a very strong smell of mould at Liverpool Street Station”. The person also asked officers if the smell had been investigated and if they could confirm what it was.
A TfL caseworker responded: “We are investigating mould across the network. Mould growth is usually clearly visible as it manifests itself on damp surfaces and requires a source of water and organic nutrients to grow.”
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“Normally we would investigate this if the station manager had made a complaint. In this case we believe the smell in Liverpool Street is not related to mould but is a pumping problem.”
When asked by a concerned customer if the bosses were aware that mold is a health risk, they replied: “Mold is a health risk under certain circumstances. The most serious effects of mold (aflatoxins, etc.) occur when it grows in food and the food is then consumed.”
“Taking mould spore samples from the air makes little sense”
“Indoors, mold produces spores that can irritate the respiratory tract and aggravate underlying conditions such as asthma and trigger allergic reactions – a summer cold is often an allergic reaction to mold spores and not a viral illness. However, there are no legal limits on exposure to mold spores in the air.”
The case officer also said: “There is little point in taking mould spore samples from the air. The main focus should be on identifying and eliminating the cause. In most cases, mould problems arise from damp surfaces caused by penetrating or rising damp or condensation, which is usually caused by inadequate ventilation and poorly insulated (and cold) building materials.
“Although mold odors are unpleasant, they are not toxic from a medical point of view.”
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