Indoor air pollution presents high health risk to European citizens, claim studies
The results of two Joint Research Centre (JRC) studies have revealed a much higher health risk linked to indoor air pollution than previously thought. The EXPOLIS and Macbeth projects examined the results from a recent measuring campaign in European cities, which compared the indoor concentrations of dangerous air pollutants to outdoor polluting components in a number of European cities. The results reveal very high levels of pollutants such as tobacco smoke, asbestos, and radon in people's houses, and in the case of benzene, overall exposure is found to be twice that of urban pollution levels. The studies suggest that recent reductions in ventilation rates aimed at limiting energy consumption, along with the extensive use of new building materials, are resulting in new chemical substances with unknown toxic substances being released into indoor environments. These pollutants and others in the home are not only responsible for causing asthma and other allergic related illnesses, but the studies claim that it is likely they also contribute substantially to the increase of cancer incidents in the population. Commenting on the findings, EU Commissioner for Research, Philippe Busquin noted that while most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can damage their health, many are unaware of the threat that indoor air pollution can pose. 'Traffic and smog are of course major causes of pollution, and we are studying and analysing their impact on human health. But unfortunately smoking and chemical substances sometimes follow us even behind closed doors at home, at the office, in restaurants and bars. Under certain conditions, we can even be at risk while sitting in our sofa at home, not only while cycling downtown at the rush hour,' said the Commissioner. Given that Europeans spend up to 90 per cent of their lives indoors, the findings are giving rise to concern. 'We are therefore upgrading our indoor pollution monitoring and response capabilities, and we encourage policymakers and public authorities across Europe to address these issues and devise a consistent and effective strategy to solve the problem,' said Mr Busquin. One major component of the indoor pollution monitoring system in Europe is the JRC's INDOORTRON environmental chamber in Ispra, at which the Commission is currently developing sophisticated analytical methods to assess indoor air pollution. The chamber is a highly controlled environment where air composition can accurately be measured and adjusted, without any influences from the surrounding atmosphere. This enables researchers to study indoor pollution scenarios such as interior painting and the use of other consumer products that have a potential impact on the health of European citizens. Tests have also taken place at the chamber to investigate environmental tobacco smoke and the impact that various ventilation rates in indoor environments may have on the levels of tobacco components present in the air. The preliminary results of these tests indicate that ventilation rates do not help dissipate the presence of tobacco components, which suggests that increasing ventilation in buildings and homes will not improve indoor air quality. In an effort to provide clearer and more reliable data, as well as to harmonise actions in the area of indoor air pollution, the JRC is creating a new network for European scientists in this field. It is hoped that the INDEX network will help identify priorities and assess the need for an EU strategy and action plan.