Patient: Respiratory health and policies affecting indoor and outdoor air quality. Breda Flood Board Member Asthma Society of Ireland

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Charleen Nash
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2 Patient: Respiratory health and policies affecting indoor and outdoor air quality Breda Flood Board Member Asthma Society of Ireland

POLICIES: Industry Energy Chemicals Transport Environment Health Research Traffic exhaust Industrial emissions Heating emissions Pollen Peaks of

3 POLICIES: Industry Energy Chemicals Transport Environment Health Research Traffic exhaust Industrial emissions Heating emissions Pollen Peaks of pollution Second hand smoke Building products Finishing products Furniture Personal hygiene products Detergents Poor ventilation Poor outdoor air quality etc

4 Indoor Environment and Health The rate of increase in allergy prevalence is too rapid to be due to changes in the genetic pool. It has been suggested that this rise maybe due to exposure to allergens in modern indoor environments. Inhaled Air Exposure is recognised as the most important risk factor for asthma in children. The risk of becoming sensitised or having an exacerbation of symptoms because of indoor air constitutes a major public health problem. The right to breathe clean air should be a recognised fundamental health right.

5 Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants People spend 90% of their time indoors, where concentrations of many air pollutants are higher than outdoors. Indoor environments have changed enormously with the introduction of soft furnishings, fitted carpets and mechanical air ventilated systems. The rate at which indoor air is exchanged for fresh air is now 10 times lower than it was 30 years ago with a considerable increase both in humidity and in concentrations of indoor pollutants as airborne allergies. Hence, air quality in the home, at work and in public places plays a major role in our health, particularly if you suffer from asthma, allergies or atopic dermatitis.

6 Tobacco Control Policy and Public Health Gains Introduction of legislation banning smoking in the workplace Ireland 2004 Progressive increases in tobacco taxation Legislation banning public display of tobacco products for sale 2009 Smoking Prevalence initial decrease from 25.5% in 2004 to 23.25% in 2005 Dramatic reduction in exposure to second hand smoke (SHS)

7 Smoking is still a key health issue Downward trend in smoking prevalence not sustained; % 45% of current smokers aged Focus on compliance with legislation Focus on measurable health gains reduction in respiratory symptoms and cardiovascular disease. Specific target group smoking in pregnancy

8 Reducing Childhood Exposure to SHS - a Public Health Priority Asthma Society of Ireland undertook local-level modified ISAAC study in 2007 Additional Question on SHS exposure in cars 14.8% of 13/14 year old children exposed Data accepted for presentation at ERS in Sept 2010 will outline the impact on the severity of asthma Recommendation: legislation supporting smokefree cars when children are present.

9 u Partnership project by EFA and HEAL EU Directive and Strategy on Ambient Air Pollution and Clean Air for Europe Implementation: right to know, targeted information for people with respiratory diseases Policy and information campaign Letters to Commissioners and EU Ministers on Health & Environment Specific role for patient groups in implementation Currently in English, Italian, French Finnish, Lithuanian & Czech

10 The Rationale No central website with links to ozone, pollen, spores, weather, air quality in general, extreme weather alert Find your respiratory health forecast wherever you are in Europe Health effects, links to forecasts, your rights EU legislation, what you can do yourself Targeted information for vulnerable groups: people with allergy & respiratory diseases

11 Outdoor air pollution health effects Short-term exposure irritation to the eyes, nose and throat difficulty breathing upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia and exacerbation of respiratory disease other symptoms, including headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Long-term exposure chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, reduce lung function, onset asthma, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys.

13 EU role: European action programme on allergy & respiratory diseases ALLERGY and RESPIRATORY DISEASES in ALL POLICIES Work with all stakeholders

14 Environment and Health: Marriage made in Heaven? Yes: In the AIR! Thank you & happy breathing

15 Mar Fhocail Scoir Ní neart go cur le chéile. Unity is strength

16 This paper was produced for a meeting organized by Health & Consumers DG and represents the views of its author on the subject. These views have not been adopted or in any way approved by the Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the Commission's or Health & Consumers DG's views. The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper, nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof.

Poor indoor air quality: a public health problem

Poor indoor air quality: a public health problem Roberta Savli EU Policy Officer roberta.savli@efanet.org www.efanet.org The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA)