Recap of: A Breath of “Fair” Air – Combatting Indoor Air Inequality across Europe and Beyond
On Friday, 24th January 2025 at 10:30 am CET, the EDIAQI project hosted an engaging webinar titled "A Breath of 'Fair' Air: Combatting Indoor Air Inequality across Europe and Beyond". This timely session brought together policymakers, researchers, industry experts, and civil society representatives to explore how disparities in indoor air quality (IAQ) often mirror broader social and economic inequalities. With a diverse audience and insightful interventions, the webinar delved into why lower-income and marginalised communities frequently endure poorer air quality—and what can be done to ensure that healthy air becomes a fundamental right for all.
Marginalised Communities in Focus
Sinead O’Brien from Clean Air Advocacy Ireland delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the experiences of marginalised communities. She discussed the real-world challenges faced by those who, due to economic constraints, are compelled to use suboptimal heating sources—exacerbated by events such as the recent storm in Ireland. Her intervention emphasised that the right to clean indoor air must extend to all, including refugees and individuals in prisons, thereby framing indoor air quality as an essential matter of social justice.
Indoor Air Quality in Diverse Housing Environments
Jonathan Groot offered a detailed look into the complexities of indoor air quality within non-profit housing. His segment explored the specific challenges faced by ethnically and economically diverse populations, noting that while communities can adopt measures to improve their indoor environments, underlying structural issues—like persistent mould problems—demand broader systemic reforms. His presentation highlighted the importance of combining individual actions with strategic policy interventions to achieve lasting improvements.
Unpacking the Socioeconomic Factors
Pawel Rostkowski examined the multifaceted links between socioeconomic status and indoor air quality. His presentation provided a clear analysis of how factors such as location, ventilation, heating systems, building materials, and indoor products disproportionately affect lower-income households. Pawel’s methodical approach underlined the critical role of education and awareness in empowering communities to advocate for healthier living conditions.
Tackling Urban Air Inequality in Schools
Lina Davulienė brought fresh insights from the Vilnius pilot project, focusing on the challenges faced by schools located near urban traffic. Her talk shed light on how proximity to busy roadways can significantly degrade indoor air quality in educational settings, thereby impacting the health of children. Lina’s intervention highlighted the need for targeted campaigns and informed policymaking to address the specific vulnerabilities of young learners in urban areas.
Panel Discussion: Charting a Path Forward
The webinar also featured a dynamic panel discussion, where all speakers came together to address overarching questions regarding the causes of indoor air inequality and the multifaceted actions needed—from economic, societal, and political perspectives—to ensure equitable access to clean indoor air. The dialogue reinforced the consensus that achieving lasting improvements in IAQ requires a coordinated approach integrating community empowerment, policy reform, and technological innovation.
For more details and to watch the full webinar, please visit our EDIAQI YouTube channel.
Looking Ahead
Building on the momentum of this impactful session, the EDIAQI project is already gearing up for its next webinar. On Friday, 21st February 2025 at 10:30 am CET, join us for "Mind the Gap: Toward a Comprehensive European Union Act on Indoor Air Quality". This forthcoming event will explore how national and regional initiatives can inform the creation of an all-encompassing EU framework to regulate indoor air quality—a critical step towards ensuring that every citizen enjoys the right to breathe clean air.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to register for another session that promises to bridge gaps and drive real change in indoor air quality across Europe.