Harmful pollutants in indoor air

9.2.2018

Question for written answer E-000833-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Merja Kyllönen (GUE/NGL)

People spend most of their time indoors, so indoor air is a significant factor in human health. Emissions from materials used in indoor environments have been reduced significantly but, due to various structural deficiencies, humidity problems have become more and more of an issue, and it is feared that the situation in this regard will deteriorate further because of ever stricter energy saving targets. This applies both to homes and to public buildings, such as schools or workplaces. Symptoms and illnesses caused by various moulds and microbes are becoming increasingly common, but there are serious deficiencies in their diagnosis and treatment.

How prevalent are problems with indoor air caused by humidity in Europe?

What is the state of play with regard to systematic and standardised research into exposure to indoor air, and measures to deal with the associated problems, and is the Commission drawing up a classification of diseases caused by indoor air?