The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) began scoping ‘Indoor Air Quality at Home’ in early 2017. The scope was published in September 2017 and the draft consultation document was published in June 2019. The final guidance was published in January 2020.
The guidance follows on from the government’s Clean Air Strategy published in January 2019 which aims to tackle all sources of air pollution and make the air healthier to breathe. IAQ is a key part of this with the strategy proposing a number of simple measures to reduce air pollutants in the home, including more effective ventilation.
The ‘Indoor Air Quality at Home’ final guidance document can be downloaded here.
The 2 page visual summary on actions to improve indoor air quality can be downloaded here.
The document encourages homeowners, landlords and local authorities to be aware of indoor air pollution and to take steps to reduce occupant exposure to indoor pollutants thus protecting their health and wellbeing.
The document affirms the critical role ventilation plays in removing pollutants and improving indoor air quality and states ventilation must be effective. It also provides advice on how to reduce damp and condensation in the home and recommends permanent and effective whole house strategies that use mechanical ventilation where possible (such as PIV for retrofitting into existing homes and MVHR/MEV for new/self builds).
The document states toddlers, pregnant women, the disabled and the elderly are most vulnerable groups to the effects of pollution and poor ventilation. It also states the housing conditions that increase the risk of exposure to indoor air pollution including living in close proximity to high levels of outdoor air pollution, living in overcrowded properties with ineffective ventilation, and living in homes with condensation and mould.
For specifiers, architects, builders and retrofitters in both private and public sectors the document recommends whole house strategies that both ventilate and purify the indoor air and optimise energy efficiency .For local authorities the document advises embedding a plan for improving IAQ into existing strategies.