The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

Brits Oblivious To Indoor Air’s Deadly Impact

Brits know very little or nothing on indoor air quality and its effects.
06 June 2019 | Updated 07 June 2019
 

Public awareness of the toxicity of the buildings they live and work in is alarmingly low, with 72% of Brits confirming they know very little or nothing about indoor air quality and its effects.

Research commissioned by Veolia, was published on World Environment Day(June 5) is aimed at beating air pollution. Veolia has called on the Government to refine its indoor air quality regulatory guidance, aligned to the World Health Organisation’s.

Richard Kirkman, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Veolia UK & Ireland said: “We can smell car fumes and sometimes we see dust levels outside, however, little is known about invisible indoor air pollution and its potential health effects - thought to be eight times more dangerous than outdoor conditions. Our research concludes that poor indoor air quality will contribute to 20,000 premature deaths in Britain every year."

 

Global observations

Veolia has been monitoring and studying indoor air at a global level for over a decade. The company claims that out of the hundreds of buildings they have audited, over 80% have required some corrective action - and in the UK it is no different. "Our research shows the public are poorly informed on an issue that will affect each and every one of us," continued Kirkman. "We spend 8 hours a day in buildings - much longer than we spend commuting.

“Current Government advice on indoor air quality is fragmented, ineffective and has been poorly enforced to date. Solutions are available to prevent further indoor air related health impacts but only if the problem is taken seriously by policy makers and stronger guidelines are imposed. Adopting guidance on indoor air quality will be an important, immediate step in preventing a whole generation from suffering unnecessary ill-health or reduced life expectancy."

 

Savings pay for action

Kirkman also insists: “We can monitor, test, and remediate air quality in buildings to very safe levels - potentially paying for the clean-up with energy savings we implement at the same time - so it doesn’t have to come at a cost.”

 

YouGov Survey Results:

  • 72% of Brits answered that they either don’t know 'much' about the subject of indoor air quality, don’t know anything about it or have never heard about it before.

  • 73% agree the government should develop indoor air quality guidelines for all public buildings.

  • 31% of respondents had never heard about the subject of indoor air quality before.

  • 55% of respondents aren’t concerned about indoor air quality and their health.

Picture: Brits know very little or nothing on indoor air quality and its effects.

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 06 June 2019

Share



Related Articles

World Environment Day Is Everyday

5 June was World Environment Day as designated by the United Nation. If you joined in - well done. If you missed it, watch and share these heart wrenching videos and...

 Read Full Article
Call For Worker Air Quality Protection - Hubbub Grows

There is no excuse for inaction or ignorance on air pollution is the message coming from the #AirWeShare campaign which is calling for urgent action on protecting outdoor...

 Read Full Article
London's Outdoor Workers Are Breathing More Pollution Than Most

New research shows outdoor workers in London are exposed to 15% more pollution than the average. “We are building the evidence base that proves government must act...

 Read Full Article
City Of London Munches On 15mph Street Plan

The City of London Corporation has voted to make the Square Mile the first area in the UK with a 15mph speed limit - and to regularly close streets to allow pop-up food...

 Read Full Article
All Electric Dust Carts Hit The City Of London

Plans for the UK's first fully electric refuse fleet have been revealed as Veolia has signed a new tech-driven City of London waste contract. The City of London...

 Read Full Article
Air Quality Monitoring - Khan Helps Londoners Breath More Easily

January 15 saw London's Mayor launch the world's largest air quality monitoring network. Breathe London combines state-of-the-art technology and analysis to...

 Read Full Article
Clean Air Strategy - Gove Helps You Breath More Easily

Monday 14 saw Environment Secretary Michael Gove launch the Government's new Clean Air Strategy - setting a long-term target to reduce people’s exposure to...

 Read Full Article
Clean Air Zone Scheme Reduces Air Pollution in Birmingham

A Clean Air Zone in Birmingham has successfully reduced the levels of nitrogen dioxide gas in the city. Nitrogen dioxide gas (NO2) is an air pollutant which adversely...

 Read Full Article
Low-Cost Sensors Could Provide Air Pollution Detection Breakthrough

A trial at the HS2 construction site at Curzon Street has demonstrated that low-cost sensors could determine sources of air pollution. The study, published in npj...

 Read Full Article
Veolia Signs Hard FM Contract with Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Veolia has won a multi-million pound FM contract with Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, to implement hard FM services across 144,300 m2 of patient care...

 Read Full Article