The event will focus on a growing public health concern: the quality of the air people breathe indoors, where they spend most of their lives. Evidence from the IDEAL Cluster and wider European research shows that indoor air quality can vary significantly across homes, schools, offices and care settings. In some cases, the poorest air is found in places used by vulnerable groups, including children in schools and older people in care homes.
Indoor pollutants, including particulate matter, mould, allergens and chemical emissions, are increasingly associated with immediate health effects, reduced performance and long-term health risks. Despite this, indoor air quality has received less policy attention than outdoor air pollution, even though exposure levels indoors can be high and the health and socio-economic impacts significant.
The Summit comes at a timely moment. The COVID-19 pandemic, advances in sensors, smart ventilation, building renovation and digital tools, together with new European legislation and policy initiatives, have created new momentum to place indoor air quality within Europe’s Zero Pollution ambition.
The IDEAL Cluster brings together seven Horizon Europe research and innovation projects, more than 120 organisations and over €50 million in research investment. During the Summit, participants will discuss key scientific findings, emerging evidence on health and socio-economic impacts, innovative technologies and solutions, policy recommendations, standards and a shared roadmap towards cleaner indoor air in Europe and beyond.
The event will take place from 9:00 AM CEST at Residence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels. Admission is free, but registration is required.
All information about the event and registration is available here.