A WOMAN has been left furious after thousands of polystyrene balls blew into her flat for a YEAR and the council did nothing.
Michelle Grace, noticed the tiny balls, which look like the contents of a bean bag, in her home in December 2021 and says they haven’t gone away since.
In the last year she has had to sweep up or vacuum a plastic bag’s worth of the irritations every day.
It is believed they have been entering her council flat in Bristol through the extractor fan.
They are reportedly coming from cavity wall insulation and are said to be affecting her mental health.
A Facebook post from tenant’s union ACORN, of which Michelle is a member, said that the local council “has been dismissive, disrespectful, and have shown a total unwillingness to engage with Michelle to solve this issue”.
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It added that the issue had still not been resolved ten months on from when the mum of one first brought it to the local authority’s attention.
Michelle, a breast cancer survivor, said: “It’s a horrible way to live. I’m in limbo because my home doesn’t look very nice now. It’s grim.
“It makes me feel miserable – I just want a nice home and I just can’t seem to have one.
“I’ve been a breast cancer survivor for 15 years and I don’t really want to get polished off by polystyrene!”
ACORN organiser Sam Kidel said: “[Michelle’s] told us how she’s found them in her food, she’s found them in the dog’s faeces, they are under every appliance, all around her kitchen, all over the garden.
“Because the little balls clog up the ventilation in the flat, it’s now afflicted with damp and mould.
“She is a domestic violence support worker during the day and has been forced to spend her free time fighting for herself.”
The tiny balls are also toxic and possibly cause cancer, according to the union.
They add that they will be taking collective action against the council to force them to take action.
Meanwhile, the council themselves now say that they will be carrying out repairs as soon as possible.
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “This is clearly an unacceptable issue and needs to be investigated immediately,
“Our Response Repair Team are contacting the resident today to arrange a visit and carry out urgent works needed to find a solution which can be put it in place as soon as possible.
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He added: “Further inquiries will be made as to why no action has been taken sooner.”
Ten months on from her first complaint Michelle has now been fitted with new fans and hopes the balls have stopped for good.
