Guidelines, tools and further information | ||
 | Executive Summary: WHO Guidelines for indoor air quality: dampness and mould [pdf, 105KB] | |
| Also available in: de[pdf, 102KB], ru[pdf, 191KB] | ||
| WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: dampness and mould | |
| Link to WHO/Europe's website on air quality and health | ||
| Damp and mould: health risks, prevention and remedial actions (2009) [pdf, 137KB] | |
| Information brochure | ||
| Also available in: ru[pdf, 492KB] | ||
| European directory on damp and mould support agencies | |
| To help individuals find out more about indoor air quality and its impact on health, HEAL has compiled a directory of national organizations providing information and remedial action on damp and mould based on a grant by WHO. | ||
| Children living in homes with problems of dampness [external link] | |
| Indicator-based assessment from the European Environment and Health Information System (ENHIS). Last update: October 2008 | ||
| WHO expert meeting on policy recommendations on damp and mould interventions. Bonn, Germany, 9-10 February 2009 | |
| Experts developed recommendations on policy (e.g. regulatory frameworks) and technical aspects (e.g. interventions) addressing the major challenges in removing and preventing damp and mould problems in indoor settings such as homes, schools, residential homes and day care centers. | ||
| WHO expert meeting on interventions to reduce health effects from damp and mould. Bonn, Germany, 28-29 February 2008 | |
| An expert group discussed and evaluated a selected set of actions and case studies for their effectiveness and suitability and formulated recommendations for public policy aiming at reduction of health impacts of biological contaminants of indoor air. | ||
| Advisory group | |
Exposures to biological agents indoors are a significant health hazard causing a wide range of health effects.
Dampness is a strong and consistent indicator of risk for asthma and respiratory symptoms, such as coughs and wheezing, related to indoor air quality. Inadequate ventilation and structural failures are often to blame. Proper ventilation controls humidity and prevention of condensation, and is also an important determinant of good indoor air quality.
This is a difficult area for public health policy-makers due to the great variety of indoor spaces, fragmentation of responsibilities and the limited mandate of public authorities for interventions.
WHO reviewed the available evidence on policy and interventions to protect health from the effects of home damp and mould. This review encompassed evidence and policy implications of actions implemented in various countries.
WHO Recommendations are being prepared on how policies and regulations can be applied to support and improve actions on damp and mould in indoor settings at local and national level. Key messages on suggested action by residents are provided in a brochure developed for the public by WHO and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), a project partner. A list of institutions and agencies acting as advisory bodies on damp and mould problems to the public in European countries was compiled and made available online by HEAL.
