WHO guidelines for indoor air quality

As people spend a considerable amount of time indoors, either at work or at home, indoor air quality plays a significant part in their general state of health. This is particularly true for children, elderly people and other vulnerable groups.

The WHO guidelines for indoor air quality, developed under the coordination of WHO/Europe, address three groups of issues that are most relevant for public health:

  • biological indoor air pollutants (dampness and mould)
  • pollutant-specific guidelines (chemical pollution)
  • pollutants from indoor combustion of fuels.
Biological indoor air pollutants: dampness and mould (2009)

Chemical indoor air pollutants: selected pollutants (2010)

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

An assessment of effectiveness of policies protecting against harmful exposure to second-hand smoke, conducted by IARC, indicates significant health benefits to adults and children. In particular, smoke-free policies decrease tobacco use in youths, and voluntary smoke-free home policies decrease children’s second-hand smoke exposure

Second hand smoke: Assessing the burden of disease at national and local levels

Development of WHO guidelines for indoor air quality

Report on a WHO working group meeting, October 2006

Indoor air pollution