The co-funded (DG SANCO) project started in 2002 and aims to compile evidence-based data about exposure to indoor air pollution and its health effects, particularly about allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases.
The report focuses on cost-effective measures and technology to improve indoor air quality. It reviews legislation and guidelines on indoor air pollution and recommends an integrated strategy that defines appropriate indoor air quality policies for implementation in Europe.
In terms on indoor pollution, the authors highlight the following measures:
Control the sources of pollution e.g. tobacco smoke and emissions from equipments and from building and consumer products
Moisture control to prevent accumulation of mould
Avoid walltowall carpeting
Improve cleaning methods and housing hygiene
Improve ventilation
They also recommend to avoid indoor smoking environments, better building codes and guidelines for ventilation and moisture control (construction, operation, maintenance phase), Education and information campaigns, and labelling systems to control harmful emissions from equipments and from building and consumer products.
The report shows clearly that, while indoor air quality is not taken in due consideration by either policy decision makers or the public at large, prevention and remedial measures related to indoor air quality are already available.
