Improving indoor air quality is not the responsibility of individuals, one industry, one profession or one government department. We must work together to make safe air for children a reality.
Below is an extract of the recommendations made by the Indoor Air Quality Working Party from page 15 of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of Physicians (2020) publication: The inside story: Health effects of indoor air quality on children and young people. You can find out more about the report here (opens new tab) and download the full report here
2. The Government and Local Authorities should provide the public with advice and information about the risks of, and ways of preventing, poor indoor air quality.
This should include tailored messages for:
- residents of social or rented housing
- landlords and housing providers
- home-owners
- children with asthma and other relevant health conditions
- schools and nurseries
- architects, designers and the building professions.
3. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Nursing and Midwifery, and Royal College of General Practitioners should raise awareness among their members of the potential health effects of poor indoor air quality for children, and help to identify approaches for prevention.
This must include:
(a) Support for smoking cessation services, including for parents to reduce tobacco smoke exposure in the home.
(b) Guidance for health professionals to understand the health risks of poor indoor air and how to support their patients with indoor-air-related illnesses.