O. Horizon Europe Projects
The European Union has begun to place emphasis on filling knowledge and policy gaps vis-a-vis IAQ, particularly considering the increased times European citizen spent indoors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This epitomised in seven projects funded via Horizon Europe programme under the topic Indoor air quality and health : InChildHealth, INQUIRE, K-HEALTHinAIR, LEARN, SynAir-G, and TwinAIR, alongside EDIAQI.
The InChildHealth project integrates health, environmental, technical, and social sciences to assess IAQ and its impact on school children. It examines chemicals, particles, microorganisms, and physical factors in various spaces. By evaluating IAQ effects on health, including respiratory issues and allergies, through epidemiological studies and interventions in European cities, the project aims to enhance understanding of IAQ using novel approaches like cytotoxicity testing. The consortium covers diverse European countries and aims to create an integrated risk assessment tool for pollutants, develop user-friendly monitoring technology, and disseminate findings as guidelines to improve IAQ management in schools.
The INQUIRE project aims to enhance IAQ and protect the health of European citizens, especially children. Focused on infants and young children up to 5 years old, the project conducts research to identify and reduce hazardous chemical and biological factors that affect IAQ in homes. Through innovative and non-invasive sampling methods, over 200 homes in eight countries are monitored for a month to understand IAQ determinants. The project's multidisciplinary approach combines chemical, biological, and toxicity analyses to identify sources and prioritise pollutants. Novel technologies and strategies for improving IAQ are tested, leading to evidence-based recommendations and potential policy strategies.
The Knowledge for improving indoor air quality and health (K-HEALTHinAIR) project focuses on assessing the effects of IAQ on health through extensive monitoring of chemical and biological pollutants in representative indoor environments across the EU. The project combines theoretical analysis, clinical trials, and tests to understand pollutant sources, interactions, and correlations with health issues. Affordable IAQ measurements and tools will be developed to enhance monitoring and mitigation efforts. The project aims to provide structured knowledge in an accessible format for public authorities, policymakers, and citizens, promoting informed decision-making and potentially influencing new IAQ standards. K-HEALTHinAIR seeks comprehensive engagement to ensure its results have a significant impact.
The LEARN project aims to assess IAQ in European schools and its effects on children's health and cognition. The project focuses on developing novel sensors, advanced biosensors, and effective remediation strategies to improve IAQ and children's well-being. Key elements include evaluating IAQ and exposure levels in schools across different countries, measuring concentrations of volatile organic compounds and ultrafine particles, assessing potential toxicity of indoor air pollutants, and creating a strategy for air remediation using advanced filtration systems and air purifiers.
The SynAir-G project addresses the rising complexity of indoor air pollutants and their potential synergistic effects on human health, particularly impacting susceptible groups like children, asthma and allergy sufferers, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. With a focus on school environments, the project aims to uncover and quantify synergistic interactions between pollutants, develop novel sensors, and eco-friendly air-purifying devices, and provide accessible health outcome data through gamified applications and prospective monitoring. This effort will not only enhance IAQ assessment but also contribute to regulatory frameworks and interventions for improved health outcomes.
The TwinAIR project introduces technological solutions aimed at enhancing air quality across a broad spectrum of indoor living contexts. The project's primary objective is to investigate the adverse effects of indoor air pollutants on occupants' health, fostering community awareness and informing policy-making for public health improvement. The project's multifaceted goals include establishing a framework for identifying health hazards related to indoor air pollution sources, assessing factors influencing indoor and outdoor air quality, promoting the adoption of integrated modular technologies, detecting synergistic effects of various exposures, evaluating associated health effects, determining optimal IAQ conditions, developing intelligent tools for air quality management, and contributing to open research data initiatives. Through these efforts, TwinAIR aims to comprehensively address IAQ challenges and their impact on human health, ultimately contributing to healthier indoor environments and informed policy decisions.
EDIAQI, short for "Evidence Driven Air Quality Improvement, seeks to uncover the sources, exposure pathways, and health impacts associated with indoor air pollution. With a focus on European cities, the EDIAQI project addresses the challenges posed by indoor air pollution through a comprehensive approach that includes both short-term, high-intensity measurements and long-term, large-scale monitoring. Recognising the heightened exposure to indoor pollutants and the increased risk of early-life respiratory diseases, EDIAQI aims to bridge the knowledge gap in IAQ by pursuing the following objectives:
• Validating user-friendly indoor air quality monitoring solutions.
• Creating a Europe-wide knowledge base for indoor air pollutants.
• Providing guidelines for improving IAQ.
• Ensuring data access to stakeholders.
• Supporting policy-making with evidence.
• Supporting the European Green Deal's Zero-Pollution Action Plan.
Ultimately, EDIAQI's multifaceted efforts are geared towards enhancing our understanding of IAQ, guiding regulatory measures, and promoting healthier indoor environments.