Forget expensive houseplants and fancy pots — some young people in China are now turning old bricks into their latest hobby.
Known as “养砖头” or “raising a brick”, the unusual trend involves picking up an old red brick from places such as pondsides, roadsides or demolition sites, bringing it home and spraying it with a small amount of water each day.
The goal? To simply wait for a layer of soft green moss to slowly grow across the brick.
The low-cost hobby has reportedly gained popularity among young people looking for a slower and less demanding way to relax.
Xiong Fu, deputy chief physician of respiratory medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, said the appeal lies in its lack of pressure and immediate expectations.
“Not competing, not feeling anxious and not demanding immediate feedback are what make ‘raising a brick’ particularly appealing to young people,” Xiong said.
Unlike keeping cats or dogs, the hobby also requires very little money, time or responsibility while still giving people a sense of relaxation and satisfaction.
But experts warn that bringing old bricks, soil and moss indoors could come with health risks.
Some people who have taken up the hobby have reportedly complained of symptoms including sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes.
Xiong said these symptoms could be linked to allergies, with Aspergillus mould among the potential triggers.
Moist moss and soil can produce fungal spores, which may become airborne when the brick is watered or moved. The spores can then be inhaled into the respiratory system.
For healthy people, repeated exposure could potentially trigger allergic rhinitis or allergic bronchitis, causing symptoms such as:
- Sneezing
- Itchy throat
- Dry cough
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
People with underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchiectasis, as well as those with weakened immune systems, could face more serious risks from exposure to Aspergillus.
Experts also warned about other hazards associated with old bricks collected outdoors.
Wu Yaguang, chief physician of dermatology at the same hospital, said bricks picked up from construction sites, riverbanks or other outdoor areas could carry soil, dust, paint residue and other contaminants.
Handling them with bare hands could potentially cause contact dermatitis, while bacteria such as Clostridium tetani, which causes tetanus, could enter the body through cuts or wounds.
Moss and contaminated soil may also carry fungi that can cause sporotrichosis. If the fungus enters broken skin through cuts or hangnails, it can potentially cause hard lumps or nodules to develop on the hands.
How To ‘Raise A Brick’ More Safely
Experts recommend taking the following precautions:
- Wear rubber gloves: Avoid handling old bricks, soil and moss with bare hands.
- Wear a mask: This can help reduce the inhalation of dust and airborne fungal spores.
- Avoid the hobby if you have wounds: Open cuts or broken skin could increase the risk of infection.
- People with respiratory conditions should avoid it: Those with underlying lung diseases or weakened immunity should consider avoiding the practice.
- Keep the brick outdoors: Place it on a balcony or another well-ventilated area rather than inside a bedroom or other enclosed space.
- Avoid direct airflow: Do not place the brick directly under a fan or air-conditioner, as airflow could spread spores around the home.
- Wash up afterwards: Wash your hands and face thoroughly after handling the brick and clean the nasal area if necessary.
- Watch for unusual symptoms: Seek medical attention if you develop unexplained lumps, nodules or persistent ulcers on your hands, or experience sudden dry cough, chest tightness, wheezing or prolonged fever.
If seeking medical treatment, experts recommend telling the doctor that you have been handling moss-covered bricks, as this information could help with diagnosis.
What started as a quirky, low-cost way to watch moss slowly grow may offer some people a calming break from everyday pressure — but experts say the “pet brick” should still be treated with caution, particularly when it involves materials collected from the outdoors.
