The right to healthy indoor air

Report on WHO Meeting Bilthoven, Netherlands, 15-17 May 2000

Abstract

Indoor air quality is an important determinant of health and wellbeing. However, the control of indoor air quality is often inadequate, one reason being the poor articulation, appreciation and understanding of basic principles underlying policies and action related to indoor air quality. As a result, the general public is familiar neither with those principles nor with their associated rights. A WHO Working Group was convened to agree on a set of statements on “The right to healthy indoor air”, derived from fundamental principles in the fields of human rights, biomedical ethics and ecological sustainability. This document presents the conclusions of the Working Group, in forms individuals and groups responsible for healthy indoor air about their rights and obligations, and individuals by bringing those rights to their attention.