A type of mould was found in the lungs of a 27-year-old man who died in a house that had chronic damp, a pathologist has told an inquest.
The family of Luke Brooks believe mould in their privately rented end of terrace house in Oldham caused his death.
On Tuesday consultant pathologist Abdul Ganjifrockwala told an inquest that Brooks died from acute respiratory distress syndrome, which was caused by aspergillus pneumonia.
He said that aspergillus is a type of mould and it was found in the deceased man’s lungs during a postmortem examination.
The pathologist was asked by senior coroner Joanne Kearsley whether it was possible to contract pneumonia for other reasons – even if the fungus was present.
The doctor said it was possible but, on the balance of probabilities, he thought the aspergillus was the cause in this case.
He said: “This is because of the presence of the organisms there. Had the organisms not been present, this would be bog-standard bronchial pneumonia.”
The coroner discussed with the pathologist how Brooks’ condition deteriorated over six days after developing symptoms including a cough, rash and sore throat.
He died in his bedroom after experiencing what his friend described as a seizure, the inquest at Rochdale coroner’s court has heard.
Ganjifrockwala said it was possible Brooks’ symptoms were evidence of a viral infection which “could have made his lungs more susceptible to the development of aspergillus infection”.
The coroner asked the pathologist: “On the balance of probabilities, do you still feel aspergillus has had a part in Luke’s death?”
He replied: “I think so, yes.”
Ganjifrockwala admitted that his postmortem examination findings originally included a further factor contributing to the cause of death, which was “heavily mould-infested accommodation”.
But he agreed with the coroner that he had now deferred this conclusion to other experts.
He said: “Yes, solely because they have more experience in this area.”
Prof Malcolm Richardson, a medical mycology consultant, later said that aspergillus does not normally grow inside a building.
He said it was more commonly found on garden waste with green bin waste collectors at risk of being exposed to greater levels of aspergillus spores.
Richardson said he carried out tests for mould at the family home in April 2023 and expressed surprise that no tests had been carried out closer to Brooks’ death the previous October.
He said it was frustrating that “quite a lot of repair and decoration” had been carried out at the property between Brooks’ death and his visit.
Brooks’ family believe the mould-infestation in their house was the cause of death.
On Monday, Luke’s mother, Patricia Brooks, said they moved into the house in 2014 and had no heating or hot water for three years. There was mould and damp everywhere, the inquest heard.
Patricia Brooks told how she begged Oldham council to find her family alternative accommodation and was advised to keep on bidding for social housing.
Luke Brooks has been described by his mother as “funny, witty, intelligent, clever”.
He could also be reclusive, spending the majority of time in his bedroom which he shared with his best friend, Christopher Haycock, and their three dogs and cat.
The inquest is being overseen by the same coroner who last year ruled that two-year-old Awaab Ishak died in Rochdale from a respiratory condition caused by mould at his home. Her conclusion sent shockwaves through the social housing sector and prompted ministers to toughen laws.
The inquest, expected to last five days, continues.
