Why IAQ Policies Matter

The Importance of Clean Air and Today's Air Quality Concerns

The concern over air quality dates back to ancient times, with even Hippocratic principles of environmental health addressing this issue⁽¹⁾. As far back as 1306, King Edward of England took action by passing legislation that prohibited the burning of sea-coal due to its combustion emissions⁽²⁾. Clean air stands as a fundamental cornerstone of life, encompassing not only human existence but also the broader biosphere. Unfortunately, contemporary human activities such as industrial processes, energy generation, residential heating, and transportation persist in generating pollutants that significantly degrade air quality. The repercussions of this deterioration are vast, with air pollution inflicting significant harm upon the environment and ecosystems⁽³⁾.

Beyond the catastrophic environmental damage, the consequences of these activities reverberate profoundly in terms of human health and overall well-being. Outdoor and indoor air pollution collectively contribute to an alarming annual toll of 6.7 million premature deaths⁽⁴⁾. In fact, it is now estimated to be on par with other major global risks such as unhealthy diet and tobacco smoking⁽⁵⁾. Air pollution is now recognised as the single biggest environmental threat to human life⁽⁶⁾. Within the European Union, the consequences for citizens' quality of life remain substantial, especially in urban hubs where persistently inadequate air quality standards pose an ongoing health risk⁽⁷⁾. The economic impact is also substantial, as air pollution is projected to cost the European Union an annual total of 330 billion euros⁽⁸⁾. This financial burden encompasses the consequences of disease exacerbated by air pollution, as well as the associated loss of productivity and elevated healthcare expenses⁽⁹⁾.

Understanding Indoor Air: Challenges and Differences from Outdoor Air

While the prevailing perception is that pollution primarily poses a risk outdoors⁽¹⁰⁾, it is important to recognise that indoor environments can harbour pollution levels that are not only comparable but often exceed those found outdoors⁽¹¹⁾. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can be significantly compromised by elements like smoke, mould and chemicals present in certain paints, furnishings, and cleaning products⁽¹²⁾. In contrast to ambient air quality, which pertains to outdoor settings, indoor air quality encompasses the air within and surrounding buildings, with an emphasis on the comfort, well-being, and health of occupants. Given that Europeans spend 90% of their time indoors⁽¹³⁾ and that indoor spaces can sometimes be more polluted than outdoor areas⁽¹⁴⁾, comprehending the full scope of this issue and devising strategies to enhance air quality is seen as paramount both in Europe and globally.

Since the 1970s, the matter of IAQ has garnered considerable attention, with the World Health Organization addressing it in various documents and forums⁽¹⁵⁾. This problem is acknowledged as a pressing concern spanning low, middle, and high-income countries alike⁽¹⁶⁾. Individuals can encounter air pollutants in a range of indoor settings, encompassing private residences, offices, educational institutions, and public transportation systems⁽¹⁷⁾. The complexity arises from the fact that indoor air often comprises a blend of diverse pollutants, making it intricate to pinpoint the health implications linked to specific exposures⁽¹⁸⁾. Furthermore, the quality of indoor air is influenced by a multitude of factors, including the activities conducted in each space, the quality of building materials and finishes, the furnishings present, and even the level of occupancy, among others⁽¹⁹⁾. Moreover, it's worth noting that indoor environments can also be impacted by outdoor pollutants seeping in⁽²⁰⁾.

References

(1) Hippocrates, On airs, waters, and places (White Fish: Kessinger Publishing, 2004)

(2) Eloi Laurent, “Air (ine)quality in the European Union,” the National Library of Medicine, 26 March 2022. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8960211/#CR7

(3) The European Commission, “Air”, 2023. Available online: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/air_en

(4) The World Health Organisation, Household Air Pollution, 28 November 2022. Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/household-air-pollution-and-health

(5) The European Environment Agency, “Air Quality in Europe 2019 Report,” Publications Office of the European Union, 2019. Available online: https://www.miteco.gob.es/content/dam/miteco/es/calidad-y-evaluacion-ambiental/temas/atmosfera-y-calidad-del-aire/air-quality-in-europe_2019_tcm30-187944.pdf ; The United Nations, “Political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases,” The United Nations General Assembly, 10 October 2018. Available online: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/1648984

(6) The World Health Organisation, “WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines,” the World Health Organisation, 2021. Available online: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/345334/9789240034433-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

(7) The European Commission, “Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A Europe that Protects: Clean Air for All,” the European Commission, 17 May 2018. Available online: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52018DC0330

(8) The European Commission, “Air”, 2023. Available online: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/air_en

(9) The World Health Organisation, “WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines,” the World Health Organisation, 2021. Available online: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/345334/9789240034433-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

(10) The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, “Indoor Air Quality,” 12 July 2023. Available online: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/indoor-air/index.cfm

(11) Abinaya Sekar et al, “Analysis of benzene air quality standards, monitoring methods and concentrations in indoor and outdoor environment,” Heliyon, 29 November 2019. Available online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31844766/

(12) The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, “Indoor Air Quality,” 12 July 2023. Available online: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/indoor-air/index.cfm

(13) Maya I Mitova et al, “Human chemical signature: Investigation on the influence of human presence and selected activities on concentrations of airborne constituents,” Environmental Pollution, February 2020. Available online: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749119334268

(14) Abinaya Sekar et al, “Analysis of benzene air quality standards, monitoring methods and concentrations in indoor and outdoor environment,” Heliyon, 29 November 2019. Available online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31844766/

(15) Gaetano Settimo et al, “Indoor Air Quality: A Focus on the European Legislation and State-of-the-Art Research in Italy,” MDPI, 1 March 2020. Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/4/370#B6-atmosphere-11-00370

(16) Michael J Suess, “The Indoor Air Quality Programme of the WHO Regional Office for Europe,” the WHO regional office for Europe, 1992, 2, 180–193. Available online: https://www.aivc.org/sites/default/files/airbase_6487.pdf ; Lars Mølhave et al, “The right to healthy indoor air: Status by 2002,” National Library of Medicine, 2003. Available online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12572915/ ; The World Health Organisation, “WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality,” the WHO regional office for Europe, 2010. Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789289002134

(17) Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs, “Indoor Air Quality,” the European Commission, 2008. Available online: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/en/indoor-air-pollution/l-2/5-pollutant-mixtures.htm#0

(18) Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs, “Indoor Air Quality,” the European Commission, 2008. Available online: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/en/indoor-air-pollution/l-2/5-pollutant-mixtures.htm#0

(19) Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs, “Indoor Air Quality,” the European Commission, 2008. Available online: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/en/indoor-air-pollution/l-2/5-pollutant-mixtures.htm#0 ; Gaetano Settimo et al, “Indoor Air Quality: A Focus on the European Legislation and State-of-the-Art Research in Italy,” MDPI, 1 March 2020. Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/4/370#B6-atmosphere-11-00370

(20) Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs, “Indoor Air Quality,” the European Commission, 2008. Available online: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/en/indoor-air-pollution/l-2/5-pollutant-mixtures.htm#0