Elizabeth Line station ‘smells of mould’ as TfL explains cause of ‘sore’

Transport for London (TfL) has revealed the source of an odor at a major station on the Elizabeth line. A customer reported the pong to the authority, claiming it smelled “musty”.

They described “a very strong musty smell at Liverpool Street Station”. The person also asked officials if it had been investigated and if they could confirm what it was about.

A TfL case officer replied: “We are looking at mold more widely across the network. Mold growth is normally obvious because it occurs on moist surfaces and needs a source of water and organic nutrients to grow.

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“Normally we would investigate this if a complaint was made by the station manager. In this case, we believe the smell on Liverpool Street is not related to mold and is a problem with the pump.”

When asked if bosses were “aware that mold is a public health issue” by the customer in question, they added: “Mold is a public health issue in certain circumstances. The most acute effect of mold (aflatoxins, etc.) is where it grows in food. and then it is consumed.

“Little Purpose in Air Sampling for Mold Spores”

“In indoor environments, molds produce spores that are respiratory irritants and can worsen underlying conditions such as asthma and cause allergic reactions – summer colds are often an allergic response to mold spores rather than a viral condition. However, there are no regulatory exposure limits for airborne mold spores.”

The case officer also said: “There is little purpose in carrying out mold spore sampling in the air. The main focus should be on identifying the cause and fixing it. In most cases, mold problems arise from damp surfaces caused by ingress or build-up of moisture or condensation which is usually caused by inadequate ventilation and poorly insulated (and cold) building fabrics.

“While airborne odors associated with molds are unpleasant, they are not medically toxic.”

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