Recap of KHEALTHinAIR and EDIAQI project Webinar - Indoor Air Quality, Public Awareness and Policy: the Chicken Vs. the Egg Dilemma
On the 25th of October 2024, the KHEALTHinAIR and EDIAQI projects, both members of the IDEAL Cluster, co-organised a webinar titled “Indoor Air Quality, Public Awareness and Policy: The Chicken vs. the Egg Dilemma”. This webinar brought together experts from across Europe to discuss the relationship between public awareness and policy when it comes to improving indoor air quality (IAQ), sparking much food for thought.
The event addressed the critical question of whether public awareness should come first to drive policy or whether policies need to be in place to build awareness. Below are some of the key insights shared by the panel of distinguished speakers.
COVID-19, Indoor Air Quality: The Story of Switzerland
National Councillor and Cofounder of the Green Liberal party of Switzerland, Mr. Martin Bäumle, delivered a brilliant and thoughtful intervention, discussing the importance of IAQ in the context of COVID-19. He drew a compelling parallel between the 19th-century recognition of the connection between clean water and public health, and the need today to fully understand the link between air quality and health. Bäumle’s balanced approach focused on raising awareness without creating panic, while encouraging proactive, positive actions from individuals. His insights reinforced the importance of addressing IAQ at both the policy and public awareness levels.
Strengthening IAQ Policies: Insights from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità
Dr. Gaetano Settimo of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Italy shared an engaging presentation, emphasising the role of national health agencies in developing both national and international IAQ standards. He highlighted the importance of international collaboration, particularly with organisations like the WHO, in co-creating impactful standards and driving effective policy development. Settimo’s presentation also focused on the role of innovative technologies, such as low-cost sensors, in shaping future IAQ standards and monitoring systems. His insights underscored the necessity of strong cooperation to address IAQ challenges across Europe.
Gauging Public Awareness across Europe
Dr. Mireia Ferri from the KHEALTHinAIR project provided a detailed and insightful analysis of public awareness around IAQ across different European regions. She pointed out that knowledge is power, stressing that empowering the public through access to information is a vital part of improving IAQ. Dr. Ferri’s presentation underscored the critical role of projects like KHEALTHinAIR and EDIAQI, as well as the broader IDEAL Cluster, in sharing knowledge and creating public awareness that leads to meaningful action. Her contributions made clear that collective efforts are crucial to bridging the gap between policy and public understanding of IAQ.
Empowering Citizens through Awareness
Dr. Jelena Šarac, the leader of the awareness campaign in the EDIAQI project, presented the results of an awareness survey, providing an insightful look into how public awareness and policy intersect. She made a compelling argument that well-designed policy not only raises awareness but also includes strategies for continually improving it. Dr. Šarac’s presentation, delivered with clarity and precision, showed the importance of tailoring public health campaigns to regional needs and highlighted how both awareness and policy need to evolve in tandem to improve IAQ. Her thoughtful insights reflected her deep expertise and dedication to the project, leaving a lasting impression on attendees.
The Chicken vs. the Egg: Policy, Awareness, or Neither?
The panel discussion, which followed the individual presentations, brought all the insights together and delved into the “chicken vs. egg” dilemma: should public awareness come first to drive policy, or do strong policies create the conditions necessary for building awareness?
The consensus among panellists was that both are essential and mutually reinforcing. While awareness helps inform the public and foster behavioural changes, policies create the framework necessary to protect public health and improve air quality. The key takeaway was that awareness and policy must develop together to have a lasting impact in IAQ.
Looking Ahead
The “Indoor Air Quality, Public Awareness and Policy: The Chicken vs. the Egg Dilemma” webinar proved to be an insightful and engaging event, offering valuable perspectives on the critical roles that both awareness and policy play in improving IAQ across Europe. The discussions underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors and countries in order to create healthier indoor environments for all.
For those who missed the live session, you can access the full recording of the webinar here.
Stay tuned for more events from the EDIAQI webinar series.