Brussels, 07 September 2021 – Proper use of air quality systems will help reduce transmission of COVID19 in office spaces, according to research. However, the European Union does not currently recognise indoor air pollution as a risk to human health in the way it does outdoor pollution.
Leading European indoor Environmental Quality associations have issued a statement to assert the dangers of indoor air pollution and outline proposals that would clean up indoor air.
Proper mechanical ventilation can reduce half the virus concentration by a factor of 10, and alternatives include window airing, air treatment technologies and Building Automation and Control Systems.
But the lack of a coherent EU legislative framework for addressing indoor air pollution makes the upcoming revision of EU policies a key opportunity to support reduced air transmission of COVID-19.
The statement proposes adding quality standards and policies to a range of relevant directives, frameworks, such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the Occupational Safety and Health Strategic Framework, and public procurement practices.
The statement also speaks to the opportunity presented by the Conference on the Future of Europe, saying: “The Conference on the Future of Europe must give serious consideration to granting the EU shared competence over health policy to facilitate the integration of health more strongly as a legal basis across all EU policy areas covering the built environment.”
– Joint associations’ statement –
Brussels, 07 September 2021 – Proper use of air quality systems will help reduce transmission of COVID19 in office spaces, according to research. However, the European Union does not currently recognise indoor air pollution as a risk to human health in the way it does outdoor pollution.
Leading European indoor Environmental Quality associations have issued a statement to assert the
dangers of indoor air pollution and outline proposals that would clean up indoor air.
Proper mechanical ventilation can reduce half the virus concentration by a factor of 10, and alternatives
include window airing, air treatment technologies and Building Automation and Control Systems.
But the lack of a coherent EU legislative framework for addressing indoor air pollution makes the
upcoming revision of EU policies a key opportunity to support reduced air transmission of COVID-19.
The statement proposes adding quality standards and policies to a range of relevant directives,
frameworks, such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the Occupational Safety and Health
Strategic Framework, and public procurement practices.
The statement also speaks to the opportunity presented by the Conference on the Future of Europe,
saying: “The Conference on the Future of Europe must give serious consideration to granting the EU
shared competence over health policy to facilitate the integration of health more strongly as a legal basis
across all EU policy areas covering the built environment.”
Read the full statement here.
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