Two medical royal colleges have joined a new drive to investigate the health impact of indoor air pollution in homes.
A working party has been set up, and is launched at the "Better homes, better air, better health" event in London, UK, today (12 April).
The working party includes the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the Royal College of Physicians.
It plans to focus on three key areas – gaps in our knowledge of reducing indoor pollution, recommendations on immediate action in the built environment industry and policy development, and fostering innovative solutions.
Peter Bonfield, CEO of Building Research Establishment, a research, and consultancy group for the construction and built environment sectors, said: "In the UK we spend up to 80% of our lives in buildings – homes, schools and workplaces. Improving indoor air quality represents a huge opportunity to significantly improve our health and wellbeing.
"Consumers need to be aware of the direct benefits of energy efficiency and how to best implement energy efficiency measures in their homes including ventilation strategies, achieving adequate indoor air quality through increased insulation levels."
Professor Stephen Holgate of the Royal College of Physicians added: "When we think about air pollution, we naturally focus on air travel, busy roads or factories. However, one of the more immediate threats to our health is that of indoor air pollution.
"Factors such as kitchen products, faulty boilers, open fires, fly sprays and air fresheners, can cause poor air quality in our homes, workspaces and schools. We need to take action now and protect our future generations."
The group hope to establish a new research agenda focused on the knowledge gaps around the solutions available to reduce pollution exposure, following London Mayor, Sadiq Khan’s, recent pledge to clean London’s air.
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