Harmful substances in buildings
23.4.2014
Question for written answer E-005384-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE)
Although large numbers of European citizens are continuing to be made ill because their interior spaces are contaminated with a whole range of toxins, including mycotoxins, PCBs, PCPs, formaldehyde, fungicides, organophosphates, flame-proofing agents, and pesticides of all kinds, their health is still not being properly protected, notwithstanding the established fact that people spend more than 60% of their time indoors (at work, at home, at school, and so on).
1. Does the Commission consider that, as far as interiors are concerned, the emphasis should in future be on eliminating harmful substances, and is it willing to support, for example, a building health certification system so as to promote prevention-oriented, sustainable, and healthy building methods?
2. What legislation will the Commission produce in order to protect the health of building users?
3. When will the Commission submit a directive on interior spaces so as to ensure that floor coverings or insulating material, say, will in future be subject to the limit values required for health protection?
4. What is the Commission’s attitude to mandatory contaminant detection for homes and other buildings?
5. What sources of financing and support are available to designers and builders seeking to create interiors free of harmful substances?
OJ C 413, 19/11/2014