TfL Ref: FOI-0309-2425
Thank you for your request which we received on 26 April 2024, you asked for information about a mould like smell at Liverpool Street station, on the Elizabeth Line.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require. You asked:
- has the smell been investigated and can you confirm what it is?
We are looking at mould more widely across the network. Mould growth is normally evident as it manifests itself on damp surfaces and needs a source of water and organic nutrients to grow. We would normally investigate this if a complaint was raised by the station manager.
In this case, we believe the smell at Liverpool Street is not connected to mould and is a pump issue.
- is TfL aware that mould is a public health issue?
Mould is a public health issue in certain circumstances. The most acute effect of mould (aflatoxins etc) is where this grows in food and then it’s consumed. In indoor environments mould growths generate spores which are respiratory irritants and can aggravate underlying conditions such as asthma and cause allergic reactions – summer colds are often an allergic response to mould spores rather than a viral condition. However, there are no regulatory exposure limits to mould spores in air.
- has the air quality been tested and what are the latest results?
There is little purpose in undertaking airborne mould spore sampling. The primary focus should be on identifying the cause and rectifying it. 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 fabrics.
- what is the remediation for the toxic smell?
While airborne odours associated with moulds are disagreeable, they are not toxic from a medical perspective.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
