Indoor air quality has a direct impact on health. The air we breathe in enclosed spaces can be even more polluted than outside air. Worldwide, 3.8 million premature deaths were attributed to poor indoor air quality in 2016.
Today, the main outdoor air pollutants must meet emission thresholds and their emission levels are continuously measured. This is not the case for indoor air, although we spend more than 85% of our time in closed spaces.
However, indoor air is polluted. This is why the health impact of contaminants in indoor air must be considered <Poor air quality can also reduce healthy life expectancy.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic reminded us that indoor air can be contaminated with microorganisms, bacteria and viruses. It also taught us that well ventilated rooms can help to limit the spread of these bio-pollutants. Good indoor air quality can also reduce the presence of chemical contaminants.
With this in mind, airing and ventilating as well as purifying the air are essential.
The importance of each of these steps is explained in the FPS Employment video.
The implementation of these recommendations aims to prevent the closure of businesses, shops and all other workplaces and living spaces accessible to the public in the event of a resurgence of the pandemic or new health crises.
Will we soon have standards for indoor air quality?
Setting these standards is at the heart of the European Union's Zero Pollution Action Plan, which calls for the implementation of "zero pollution" solutions for buildings and aims to halve air pollution-related premature deaths.
HELP-DESK
Would you like additional information? Contact indoor-air-quality@health.fgov.be.