Interior

For people with respiratory diseases, maintaining the quality of the air in their environment -both inside buildings or homes and outside- is of great importance since it can seriously affect their quality of life, complicating the day-to-day his illness and contributing to the worsening of his state of health.

 

  • Currently in Spain there is still no legislation on air quality in buildings. Read more about Indoor Air Quality
  • At the European level, the Health-Vent project is underway, in which EFANet and other European institutions and universities collaborate. Its objective is to review the building codes in Europe for offices, homes, schools, hospitals, etc. and establish guidelines for the member countries of the European Union. Read more about Healthvent

 

Orientation to the Health Professional to recognize symptoms related to INDOOR AIR QUALITY.  In the US there is an organization that controls the air quality inside buildings: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has published a consensus document among several organizations that serves as a tool for the health professional to diagnose the symptoms that could be related to an indoor air pollution problem. Key signs or symptoms of exposure to the contaminant are listed, as well as possible diagnoses to help determine the cause of the problem. Read more in ecological environment

 

OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY. In Europe, the Aphekom Project seeks to generate new and reliable information on the effect of air pollution in cities, as well as provide tools so that those responsible for making decisions in this regard can establish more effective local and European policies, so that air pollution professionals can health can better advise vulnerable groups, and so that individuals have the appropriate information to protect their health.

Read more :

Aphekom Brief
European Lung Foundation ELF
EFANet

 

Tips to improve the air quality in your environment //

 

  • Ventilate the interior at least once a day, open the windows and cool the interior of the house. Take care during winter with low temperatures and high humidity if the patient is vulnerable to colds and changes in temperature.
  • Do not allow smoking inside the house. Tobacco smoke is very harmful for everyone, both for the active and passive smoker.
  • Avoid kitchen and fireplace fumes, which also affect the patient.
  • Minimize the accumulation of dust and pollen indoors due to pets, mites, etc.:
  • Change bedding frequently.
  • Use the vacuum cleaner to better remove dust particles and mites.
  • Avoid rugs or carpets in the home.
  • Use dehumidifiers if necessary to reduce high humidity levels in coastal areas.
  • Properly clean the filters in the air conditioning system.
  • Consider installing air purifiers.
  • Avoid using chemical or harmful products in household cleaning products. Choose certified products for people at risk of allergies or asthma.

 

See more tips:

COPD Foundation