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Date: [Insert Date]  

 

Dear Gov.ie/ Board of Management of [Insert Institution] / CEO: [Insert Name], 

 

Subject: Advocating for Rigorous Indoor Air Quality Standards in Healthcare and Educational Institutions 

 

Dear  

Air quality, both indoor and outdoor, plays a pivotal role in the health and well-being of individuals. While outdoor air quality has received significant attention, the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) remains under-acknowledged despite its profound implications for public health. This letter discusses the importance of implementing stricter indoor air quality standards in Ireland, referencing the existing Health and Safety Authority (HSA) Code of Practice, government initiatives, and the latest scientific research on the health impacts of indoor pollutants. There is now a requirement to implement and enforce the comprehensive regulations and practices to safeguard indoor environments, especially in public spaces like schools and hospitals. This is now urgent in the context of ongoing public health concerns, including the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

The HSA Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality 

The **Health and Safety Authority's Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality** provides detailed guidelines for maintaining appropriate Indoor Air Quality in workplaces. The Code emphasizes the necessity for clean air in indoor environments, highlighting that employers are responsible for ensuring sufficient ventilation, either through natural or mechanical means. Employees have the right to request workplace risk assessments that include considerations of ventilation (Health and Safety Authority, 2023). According to the **Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007**, recently amended by **S.I. 255 of 2023**, it is a legal requirement for employers to provide sufficient fresh air in enclosed workplaces, either through natural, mechanical, or combined ventilation strategies (Health and Safety Authority, 2023). 

 

Government’s Clean Air Strategy 

The Irish Government’s Clean Air Strategy aims to improve air quality by setting appropriate targets and enhancing regulatory frameworks. However, there is a need for the integration of IAQ standards alongside outdoor air quality. The Government’s current focus includes the regulation of solid fuel use and its impact on public health, particularly the mental health effects of particulate matter (PM2.5) (Government of Ireland, 2023). Despite these efforts, the strategy must expand to include IAQ in public and private indoor spaces, as studies have shown that poor indoor air quality significantly affects health, contributing to respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as mental health issues (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2020). 

 

Health Impacts of Poor Indoor Air Quality 

Research has established a strong correlation between poor IAQ and adverse health outcomes. For instance, exposure to PM2.5 in indoor environments has been linked to numerous health conditions, including asthma, rhinitis, bronchitis, lung cancer, and even mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression (NICE, 2020). An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study from 2013 underlined the urgent need for policy interventions to mitigate the harmful effects of indoor air pollution, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly (EPA, 2013). 

 

Further compounding the issue, a study on the association between air pollution and cognitive decline revealed that **PM2.5** and **NO2** significantly impair cognitive function, especially in individuals over the age of 40. The study concluded that these pollutants are associated with diminished executive function and verbal fluency, suggesting long-term impacts on human cognition (Thompson et al., 2022). Such findings underscore the urgency of implementing comprehensive IAQ measures. 

 

Calls for Action 

In light of the existing evidence, it is imperative for governments, school boards, and employers to take proactive measures to improve IAQ. The **National Academies of Sciences** in the United States have emphasized the need for more resilient building designs that prioritize infection control through improved ventilation and air filtration systems. This need became particularly apparent with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We now have enhanced awareness of the serious public health threat posed to public health by the transmission of respiratory viruses via the aerosol route (National Academies, 2020). Despite the availability of scientifically sound solutions, such as air filtration systems, widespread adoption remains limited. 

 

Examples of best practices can be seen in **Hertfordshire, UK**, where the local council has implemented air filtration units in schools to improve IAQ. This model could be replicated in Ireland, particularly in schools, hospitals, and other public buildings, to mitigate the health risks associated with poor indoor air quality (Hertfordshire County Council, 2020). 

 

Conclusion 

The evidence supporting the regulation of IAQ is compelling. From respiratory illnesses to cognitive impairments, poor indoor air quality has far-reaching impacts on public health. Governments must prioritize IAQ in their clean air strategies and ensure that all indoor environments, particularly workplaces, schools, and hospitals, adhere to established standards. By incorporating IAQ into public health policies, the Irish Government can safeguard the health of its citizens and create cleaner, healthier environments for future generations. 

 

 

Yours sincerely  

 

 

 

________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography 

 

Environmental Protection Agency. (2013). Indoor Air Pollution and Health. EPA Publications. Available at: https://www.epa.ie/publications/research/environment--health/Indoor-Air-Pollution-and-Health.pdf 

 

Government of Ireland. (2023). Air Quality. Available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e3da2-air-quality/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/cleanair/#health-impacts 

 

Health and Safety Authority. (2023). Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality. Available at: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/publications_and_forms/publications/codes_of_practice/code_of_practice_for_indoor_air_quality.pdf 

 

Hertfordshire County Council. (2020). Hertfordshire Council Installs Air Purifiers in Schools. Available at: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/news-archive/hertfordshire-county-council-installs-air-purifiers-in-schools 

 

National Academies of Sciences. (2020). Workshop on Aerosol Transmission of Sars-Cov-2. Available at: https://www.nationalacademies.org/documents/embed/link/LF2255DA3DD1C41C0A42D3BEF0989ACAECE3053A6A9B/file/D30AADD75A2194586981694E0F99B836E423030593E3 

 

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2020). Exposure to Pollutants and Health Outcomes. NICE Guidance. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng149/evidence/2-exposure-to-pollutants-and-health-outcomes-pdf-7020943887 

 

Thompson, L. et al. (2022). Air Pollution and Cognitive Decline: Meta-Analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 804, 150-162. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004896972207334