People trapped in fuel poverty face a significantly heightened risk of exposure to dangerous carbon monoxide, new research has revealed, prompting fresh warnings about the toxic 'silent killer'.
The Deadly Intersection of Poverty and Poor Housing
The study, shared exclusively with The Independent, uncovers a stark link between living in cold, damp conditions and the prevalence of carbon monoxide. It found that those who describe their home as cold and damp are more than twice as likely to have experienced high levels of the odourless gas in the past year compared to the average UK adult.
While 7% of all UK adults reported issues with high carbon monoxide levels, this figure soared to 18% among people who were unable to afford to heat their homes properly. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, stated the data exposes a "deadly intersection between poverty, poor housing and our continued reliance on gas."
"People in fuel poverty are more likely to be trapped in older, badly maintained or poorly ventilated properties - dramatically increasing the risk of carbon monoxide exposure," Francis explained.
Vulnerable Groups and Unreported Hazards
The survey of 2,000 UK adults highlighted that certain demographics are at particular risk. Problems were most prevalent among young adults aged 18 to 34 (16%) and households with children under 18 (11%).
Francis pointed to the acute vulnerability of renters, who may fear reporting safety concerns due to the threat of eviction or rent increases. "That creates a toxic situation where serious hazards go unreported, life-threatening faults remain unfixed and vulnerable households are left exposed to an invisible killer," he said.
This fear is compounded by the financial strain of fuel poverty. Phil Burrows, head of customer vulnerability at gas network Cadent, noted that people making "really difficult decisions" about spending often defer essential appliance maintenance. "What we're finding is a lot of people aren't having maintenance done on their gas appliances," Burrows said. "Or perhaps they're making do with appliances longer than they would normally because they can't afford to replace them."
A Personal Brush with the 'Silent Killer'
The human cost of this crisis is illustrated by the experience of David Rudge, a father of six from Blackpool. He was hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning last year after an alarm, recently installed by his landlord, sounded in his flat above a shop.
"You tend to hear the stories of it being in nursing homes and hotels... but until it actually comes to you, I don't think people realise the importance of this silent killer," Rudge told The Independent. An engineer who attended, Abu Bobat, immediately noticed Rudge's drooping eyes as the 61-year-old complained of headaches and nausea.
Official data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) underscores the deprivation link. Analysis from 1998 to 2019 found that 51% of carbon monoxide poisoning fatalities in England and Wales occurred among people from the two most deprived population quintiles.
Rebecca Close, a principal environmental epidemiologist at UKHSA, confirmed that while deaths have decreased over time, "a clear trend of increasing mortalities with increasing deprivation" persists.
Alarming Gaps in Detection and Policy Response
Despite the known risks, the research indicates that almost one in three people (31%) do not have a working carbon monoxide detector in their home. Close emphasised that prevention must go beyond awareness, focusing on "correct installation and maintenance of CO alarms, especially in places that people often forget about such as in garages, outbuildings, and temporary accommodation."
Burrows added that behaviours driven by fuel poverty, such as blocking ventilation to retain heat, further elevate the risk, as gas appliances need adequate airflow to burn safely and dissipate any carbon monoxide.
In response to the wider housing safety issues, a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson cited upcoming legislation. "Our landmark Awaab’s Law will force landlords in the social rent sector to fix hazards more quickly including carbon monoxide emergencies, with tenants able to hold their landlord to account through the Housing Ombudsman or the courts."
Campaigners argue that the solution requires a multi-faceted approach. "Ending fuel poverty is not just about lowering bills," concluded Simon Francis. "It means tackling unsafe housing, strengthening tenants’ rights and moving away from fossil fuel systems that put people’s health at risk every winter."
