1 Indoor air quality Where we are Giulio Gallo, European Commission.

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Indoor air quality

Where we areWhere we are

Giulio Gallo, European CommissionGiulio Gallo, European Commission

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Action Plan on Environment and Health

Action 12 on improving indoor air quality

Technical Annexes

ETS Developing networks and guidelines on other

factors affecting indoor air quality…….by using research and exchange of national best practice

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Parliament ResolutionCalls research into the impact of new construction material on health Commission + MS to introduce a system for labelling Env and health effects of construction products and materialCommission to classify ETS as class 1 carcinogenWide-ranging approach taking into account many sources of pollution: combustion apparatus , equipment and furniture and human activities calling Commission for a green paper dealing specially with domestic pollution

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Egmond an Zee conference December 2004

A European initiative to address indoor air pollution, starting with emphasis on the improvement of building products and ventilation systems.

Smoking bans and other policies across Europe

Further development and harmonisation of testing and labelling procedures for building construction products, to enable people to identify low-emitting products

Adequate elimination of combustion products generated indoor .Promotion of measures to improve the design, maintenance and operation of ventilation systems.

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Request to Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER)

To identify a risk assessment strategy to support policy (vulnerable groups, combined exposure and cumulative effects if possible Adequacy of current information on exposure-effect and exposure, and recommendations for improvementTo identify potential areas of concern in relation to Chemicals, household, building –dampness/moisture and microbial growth To give its opinion on the health risks of air fresheners

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Activities related to tobacco smoking and ETS

Tobacco legislationTobacco fund Networks International cooperation (FCTC)Non binding legislation on ETS

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Example of warning pictures related to ETS

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ETS achievements in MS

Total ban Ireland, Italy, Malta, SwedenRestriction in public and working areas with some exceptions for hospitality Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Slovenia Planning total bans UK, FIN

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CO level in Irish bar workers

Never smokers

Current smokers

Pre ban 4.4 ppm 14.0

Post ban 2.43-45%

9.75-30

Source: Agnew, M, Goodman, PG, Clancy, Luke (2005)Evaluation of the lung function of barworkers in Dublin, pre and post the introduction ofa workplace ban on smoking in Ireland. Dublin: Scientific symposium “The Health Impacts ofSmoke-free Workplaces in Ireland”, March 2005

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Some figures in Irish pubs

Pre ban Post ban % change

PM 10 79 37.4 -53

PM 2.5 40.2 4.95 -87.6

Source: McCaffrey, M, Goodman, PG, Clancy, Luke (2005)Particulate pollution levels in Dublin pubs pre and post the introduction of the workplace smokingban. Dublin: Scientific symposium “The Health Impacts of Smoke-free Workplaces in Ireland”,March 2005

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Public Health Programme

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Public health programme. Main contributions to indoor air quality

INDEX –Critical appraisal of setting and implementation of indoor exposure limits in EU BUMA – prioritization of building material as indoor pollution sources - new project – 2005-2008

THADE - Towards Health air in dwelling in Europe

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Projects on air quality

CRICTICAL APPRAISAL OF THE SETTING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INDOOR EXPOSURE

LIMITS IN THE EU –INDEX-

Objectives

To create a network of European leading scientists in the area of indoor air pollution and herewith associatedhealth impacts in order to identify priorities and assess

the need for a Community strategy and action plan

Status of project: finishedFunded: 2002 – 2004Coordinated by: JRC

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Index achievements High priority chemicals

Formaldehyde ALARA (pending IARC revision of carcinogenicity)

Carbon monoxide 10µg/m3 (8 hour), 30 µg/m3 (1 hour)

Nitrogen dioxide 40µg/m3 (1 week), 200 µg/m3 (1 hour)

Benzene ALARANaphthalene 10µg/m3

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Index achievements - High priority chemicals and

main management options

discourage use restrict use in household products

Restrict emission from Building products

building design ventilation

combustion equipment Equipment standards and inspections - ETS

Formaldehyde

Carbon monoxide

Nitrogen dioxide

Benzene

Naphthalene

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Projects on indoor air quality

TOWARDS HEALTHY AIR IN DWELLINGS IN EUROPE (THADE)

Objectives

to produce maps of pollutants in dwellings, and to review data, cost-effective measures and technology,

quality in dwellings, and legislation and guidelines on air pollution, recommend a strategy for implementation

Status of project: finishedFunded: 2001 – 2003Coordinated by: European federation of Asthma and Allergy FI

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THADE main recommendations EU level: Actions to prohibit smoking in public and work buildings

Better building codes for new constructions especially as regards ventilation

Develop product control and labelling for building material furniture and household products, including testing and labelling for air cleaners

Promote research

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Indoor air quality strong relation to:

Lifestyle and habits