On 27 June, EFA and our Belgian member association - Astma en Allergiekoepel (AAK) had a joint meeting with the Belgian Federal Ministry of Health's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) team. Together, we brought the EFA’s community perspective to their ongoing ambition to improve indoor air quality legislation in Belgium.
From left to right: Karen Vande Casteele (AAK), Erika Colen (AAK), Lula Timmermans (FPS Public Health), Isabel Proaño (EFA), Loucine Mekhitarian (FPS Public Health), Panagiotis Chaslaridis (EFA).
What does Belgium do for IAQ?
The Belgian IAQ team offered an overview of the emerging Belgian legal framework addressing indoor air pollution. Arising from Law 2022/34199, and reinforced by a Royal Decree adopted in May 2024, the provisions cover all closed spaces accessible to the public, such as restaurants, music halls, and sports facilities.
Beginning of October 2024, these closed spaces will have to take steps to improve IAQ, based on specific reference levels defined to protect health from CO2. Measures include the measurement of CO2, risk analysis, action plans and effective air purification systems. While initially voluntary, these measures will become mandatory in 2027.
In parallel, the Belgian Ministry of Health has already established an Indoor Air Quality Platform to serve as a contact point for all stakeholders, enabling knowledge-sharing, and offering policy advice on IAQ. To find more about the Belgian law on IAQ, please see here.
EFA applauds the initiatives aiming to improve the air we breathe and looks forward to working together with EU and national policymakers, experts and civil society actors to promote best practices and improve implementation of measures that protect health from indoor air pollution.
The chronic respiratory patient perspective on IAQ
Indoor air pollution is a real and persisting challenge that often stays in the shadows. Yet it directly affects millions of people, including patients living with allergy, asthma and COPD. In the meeting, AAK representatives gave a vivid account of the struggles of people with lung health issues, which include difficulty to find proper housing, lack of resources to perform necessary house renovations, to being always alert about the air quality wherever they go.
Representing this community, EFA brings the patient perspective on IAQ at several EU policy fora, such the EU Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform, but also internationally at WHO Regional Committee level. Our engagement highlights the need for a cohesive plan to address indoor air pollution and its multiple sources: tobacco smoke, heating/cooking, building materials, or even daily products such as detergents. EFA continues to advocate for healthy renovations based on effective insulation and ventilation systems to safeguard the indoor air quality.
As part of our work on indoor air quality, EFA is leading the EU-funded project SynAir-G, part of the IDEAL Cluster which examines the impact of IAQ on human health. EFA’s role in the project is to translate IAQ science into policy proposals.