Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term degenerative condition that reduces the airflow into and out of the lungs. It remains a major challenge for health services; the level of mortality is far greater than that observed among asthma sufferers. Mortality among COPD patients is twice as high in summer as in winter, and the progression of the disease is much more rapid, suggesting the influence of seasonal effects. Earlier studies have described the negative impact of cold air and damp. It has also been proven that environmental pollutants (smoke, mould spores, chemical toxins, etc.) increase the risk of developing respiratory illnesses and aggravate existing cases.  

Householders in fuel poverty are more likely to be living in cold, draughty and/or damp homes, which are physically harder to heat and have unsatisfactory heating systems. The risks may be exacerbated by heating and/or ventilation strategies that compound the problem by increasing moisture levels or reducing the temperature. However, the exact effects of temperature and humidity (and the possible interaction between them) on residents with COPD have not been confirmed.  

Understanding the role that housing conditions may play in the epidemiology of COPD is crucial in allowing services to develop strategies that can reduce the risk factors and slow its progression.