Full list of projects 1999

Title of the project EUROPEAN MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENTIFIC NETWORKS ON INDOOR ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH NIPH		Olof Palmes gata 17 S - S-10352 STOCKHOLM Tél: ( +46-8 ) 566 13500 Fax: ( +46-8 ) 566 13505
SÄVENSTRAND RÄDÖ INGER
The quality of the indoor environment has a major impact on public health (e.g. allergies, asthma, hypersensitivities like SBS and MCS ( Multi Chemical Sensitivity ), air-ways infections, cancer,etc).Because of this there is a strong need for relevant information about risk factors indoors(e.g.pollutants ).Due to a limited scientific effort within the area, but also due to the fact that indoor air is a multidisciplinary science, there is an essential lack of knowledge. So far, few multidisciplinary studies have been conducted. Studies are mainly done with emphasis on one or few disciplines, and the peer-review process in scientific journals is also mostly made with expertise from mainly one discipline. Published studies are thus often excellent in one or few disciplines but can have major flaws in other, as important disciplines. As a result different "truths" may exist on the same subject in different disciplines. The resulting messages on prevention to the general public may therefore differ depending on what discipline the "expert" knowledge is gathered from. Within the Nordic countries a method to gather and scrutinise scientific information on indoor environments/health, in a truly multidisciplinary setting, has been tested in so called NORD-works. The results are very promising, and the interest internationally is large. The overarching purpose with the now proposed EURO-works is to use the method from the NORD-works in an European setting. In short this means that:(1) the total scientific literature on specific topics shall be reviewed by a European multidisciplinary group, (2) the group shall try to come to conclusions regarding the state of the art within the selected area of importance for public health, (3) multidisciplinary scientific European networks shall be created, of importance for coming scientific efforts and for the dissemination of knowledge and preventive measures throughout Europe.
Origine: SUEDE	Partenaires: DK,I,S

Title of the project A EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR EXPOSURE AND DISEASE MAPPING AND RISK ASSESSMENT
IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE ICSTM		Department of Epidemiology and Public Health-Norfolk Place UK - UK-W2 1 PG LONDON Tél: ( + 44-171 ) 594 3328 Fax: ( + 44 ) 262 1034
Ms WESTFOLD-SCOTT SUSANNE
The project aims to improve understanding of the links between environmental exposures, health outcome and risk through the de velopment of integrated information systems for rapid assessment of relationships between environment and health at a geographical level. Systems for point source investigations and disease and exposure mapping will be developed as well as techniques to account for inconsistencies in the data. Indices of socio-economic status derived from routinely collected data sources will be applied. State-of-the-art Bayesian statistical models will be used. A set of " best practice " guidelines will be developed to achieve comparability between geographical studies of environmental exposures and associated health effects.The developed systems will be demonstrated using case studies and a Health Impact Assessment study of changes in traffic emissions resulting from the closure and re-opening of a major road bridge as a model. The partners involved in this project have been among the leaders in Europe in developing and apllying systems as well as epidemiological and statistical methods for the appraisal and analyses of disease occurence in small geographical areas related to point source exposures and to disease mapping. The project intends to build on this firm foundation by proposing to extend the methodologies across several European countries, develop joint protocols for " best practice " in this complex area, further define the statistical methodolgy and produce working systems for the interrogation and analysis of geographically referenced health and environmental data. By combining environmental, health, population and socio-economic data to aid disease and exposure mapping the project will facilitate participating countries in the rapid investigations of health effects associated with geographically defined exposures.Inequalities in environmental exposure and health will also be elucidated. Specifications for core data requirements for such small area analysis systems will be generated. The impact of data quality and resolution on estimates of disease occurence will be explored. Advanced statistical methods developed within another EU funded project will be applied and extended. New data sets such as hospital activity, when available, will be explored to establish their utility for analysis of geographical variations in disease. Efforts will be made to harmonise European socio-economic classifications to be incorporated into the systems.
Origine: ROYAUME-UNI	Partenaires: DK,E,F,FIN,I,IRL,S,UK

Title of the project HEALTH EFFECTS OF NOISE ON CHILDREN AND PERCEPTION OF THE RISK OF NOISE
DANISH INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY DICE		25 Svanemollevej DK - DK-2100 COPENHAGEN Tél: ( + 45 ) 3920 7777 Fax: ( + 45 ) 3927 7710
MADSEN METTE
Effects of noise on children are assumed to play an increasing role for the health and well-being of children, but presentation of facts about relations between noise exposure and health effects on children are inadequate, and research, risk perceptions and risk management procedures have not been evaluated or harmonised. The project will fill this gap in scientific summation by reviewing the evidence. The project aims at: - establishing an overview of research on the health effects of children's exposure to noise, - establishing an overview of the perceptions of the risks involved in children's exposure to noise, including children's own risk perceptions of noise, - critically evaluating the character and quality of information to the public about the health effects of children's exposure to noise, based on existing risk assessments, - collecting and critically reviewing examples of good preventive public health measures and opportunities for modifying individual behaviour, - establishing documentation to be used for public information and proposals for public health interventions, and - analysing in which areas more research is most needed as a background for preventive measures. Current risk managemeny procedures in member states will be analysed and indicators of risk perceptions among adults, children and young people will be identified, compared to the results of the review, and synthesised in order to prepare public advice and information that can set in motion a reduction of negative health effects.
Origine: DANEMARK	Partenaires: DK,NL,P,S

Title of the project PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF AN EUROPEAN INFORMATION SYSTEM ON THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON HEALTH IN EUROPE
INSTITUT DE VEILLE SANITAIRE		12, rue du Val d'Osne F - F-94410 SAINT MAURICE CEDEX Tél: ( + 33-1 ) 41 79 68 56 Fax: ( + 33-1 ) 41 79 67 68
Prof Gilles Brucker
The primary objective of the project is to test the feasibility of an information programme on air pollution health effects in Europe. The aims of this information programme are: 1) to collect reliable and valid information on exposure and health outcomes and calculate effect estimates for health impact assessment which are representative for the study area; 2) to provide scientific information on air pollution health effects and critical analyses of the international literature; 3) to make the information accessible to those who need to know: professionals, decisions makers, and the general public on a regular, o,going basis. The crucial step proposed by the information programme is to formalise the data transfer from research to air quality management and public health action, allowing epidemiological surveillance of adverse air pollution health effects at the local/national and European levels. The implementation of the information programme requires to define the institutional and organisational structure of the programme, and to test its feasibility in a sample of participating centres of 15 countries. This project will explore the interest, motivation and expectations of the local/national authorities and potential partners of the project in each centre and will determine the modalities of organisation and collaboration between the local, national and European levels.
Origine: FRANCE	Partenaires: D,E,EL,F,I,IRL,NL,S,UK

Title of the project " SANDRINE 2 "
INTER-ENVIRONNEMENT WALLONIE I.E.W.		Boulevard du Nord, 6 B - B-5000 NAMUR Tél: ( + 32 ) 81 25 52 80 Fax: ( + 32 ) 81 22 63 09
SNOY THÉRÈSE
The impact of the indoor pollution on the heath status of our european populations has increased a lot these years. For instance, the energy crisis has provoqued these years a massive change in the way of building houses, mainly focused on isolation mediums, and has noy been followed by a changing of habits such as a necessary daily ventilation. Every day, new materials come up on the construction area, making it very difficult to evaluate their impact on health. Allergies do already affect 30% of the population and experts the prevalance to double within the next ten years. And indoor pollution is known to be one of the proved causes of allergies. In a preparatory text for the London conference of June 99, the W.H.O. declarels: " No harmonized strategy in the matter of indoor air quality has been applied to the entire region. (...) only a few countries have now a specific legislation on the matter. ". During the interministrial conference of London ( June 99 ) , the representants of the participating states have undertake to intiate research programs on indoor air quality. They specifically stressed on the importance of biological sources of pollution which are the less studied. Unfortunately, we have to admit that physicians confronted with " environmental diseases " don't have efficient tools at their disposal to inquire specificially on the sources of pollution. This gap could be filled by a specific " Health and Environment Service" and its " Green ambulances". This service would work hand in hand with the general practitioners and put at his disposal the necessary knowledges and tools to inverstigate on the environmental causes of diseases.
Origine: BELGIQUE	Partenaires: B,D,L

Title of the project IMPROVING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT IN THE FIELD OF POLLUTION-RELATED DISEASES BY STRENGTHENING THE CONTRIBUTION OF EH PROFESSIONNALS THROUGH ELECTRONIC NETWORKS
ROBERT KOCH-INSTITUTE RKI		Nordufer 20 D - D-13353 BERLIN Tél: ( + 49-30 ) 4547 2000 Fax: ( + 49-30 ) 4547 2328
Prof KURTH REINHARD
The project aims to establish an European communication programme that will improve the information and knowledge base on pollution related diseases and, at the same time, upgrade the intervention measures by the environmental health professionnals in reducing or eliminating the pollution-related health risks. The essential part of this European Environmental Health Communication Programme (EHCom), is the newly established European Environmental Health Communication Platform (EHCPlatform) and the three existing EH communication networks operating currently in Germany, France and the United Kingdom (Figure below refers). The established international programme will directly contribute to achieving the following three main objectives of the Community action on pollution-related diseases: 1. To improve the information on pollution related diseases, which will be achieved through the existing EH communication networks and their ongoing notification of pollution related diseases, and in particular to contribute in establishing priorities for the Community actions on diseases which are increasing in frequency, and to identify areas where the Community research is needed in order to improve the data epidemiological and/or to fill the gap in information that is lacking. 2. To improve the knowledge and management of pollution related diseases, and in particular, to improve the comparability of data between the EU Member States through the exchange and verification of information, and to improve the public information through the ongoing programme for communication of risk and public perception studies. 3. To facilitate upgrading of the environmental health services in the EU Member States and in the countries that are candidate for accession, through establishing the EH communication network between the EH professionals. The project will be based on the latest scientific developments in the area of communication technology ( internet and intranet ), information system applied in the environmental health, and perception studies.
Origine: ALLEMAGNE	Partenaires: D,F,FIN,UK HU,BG,LT

Title of the project MANAGING NATURAL POLLUANTS INDOORS
ALLSAN-IT		Maastrichterweg 10 NL - NL-6277 NW SLENAKEN Tél: ( + 31 ) 43 45 74 264 Fax: ( + 31 ) 43 45 74 265
Md RAMECKERS EDITH M.AL.
Statement of project aims: The ageing population of Europe sees by nature a lengthening of exposure to environmental polluants, including natural indoor pollutants, increasing the risk for development of malignancies ( cancer ) and chronic disease, such as COPD ( Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ) and allergic disorders. These inflictions decrease the expected number of healthy years in a life span unless exposure is reduced by technical means or healthier human behaviour. The role of different pollutants in the aetiology of these diseases has been studied extensively, as well as the geographic distribution of single pollutants. The effect of urban planning and dwelling construction on exposure was investigated to a lesser extent. In addition an overview of loval situations is generally missing. No integrated graphical overview is available that includes local exposures as well as the household and engineering measures available to consumers, engineers, architects and policy markers. Project aims: 1. To increase public awareness of the need to reduce the risks of indoor natural polluants, such as allergens, irritants, radon and asbestos inducing asthma, allergy and hypersensitivity, mesothelioma, and other malignancies. 2. To bring together existing European wide data-sets on climate, soil type and building construction in order to calculate the geographically varying risks of natural indoor pollutants and their reduction management, and present the information in an interactive Geographic Information System ( AllerSan ) . 3. To make this system accessible to professionals and the general public in Europe by means of the production and distribution of a CD-ROM suitable for use in current home-based personal computers.
Origine: PAYS-BAS	Partenaires:A,B,D,DK,E,FIN,I,IRL,NL,S,UK,BG,HU,MT,NO,RO,SI,CH

Title of the project INDOOR AIR POLLUTION IN SCHOOLS
EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF ASTHMA & ALLERGY ASSOCIATIONS EFA		71 Kyviksvägen S - S-42931 KULLAVIK Tél: ( + 46 ) 31930557 Fax: ( + 46 ) 31930557
Ms HEJDENBERG KERSTIN
A large body of evidence indicates that asthma and allergies are increasing worldwide, in particular in children, and there are indication that this increase is related to levels of pollution. In the early 1990s, the World Health Organisation launched an alert on the increased prevalence of asthma and allergy worldwide . Researchers are exploring the influence exerted by genetic and social/environmental factors on this increase. The question of the impact of outdoor air pollution in inducing asthma and allergy is controversial, while indoor air pollution can both exacerbate preexisting respiratory or allergic diseases and induce them in sensitised children. More than 1 in 3 children in Europe has asthma or allergy. These diseases are the major cause of days lost from school and their socio-economic cost is very high. Children spend one-third of their normal day in school and they cannot choose the school environment. In this scenario, it is crucial to improve awareness of indoor air pollution in the school environment. The aims of this project are:a) To collect and collate information on air pollution in schools;b) To review and compare the indoor air pollution policies and programmes of European countries, with a view to adapting the school environment to children with asthma, allergy or hypersensitivity, and c) To formulate recommendations and initiatives aimed at providing a healthy school environment for all.
Origine: SUEDE	Partenaires: A,B,D,DK,E,EL,F,FIN,I,IRL,L,NL,P,S,UK NO,CH,CZ,HU,SI
The Right to Breathe Healthy Indoor Air in Schools(680KB) This report was produced by the European Federation of Asthma and Allergy Associations as the results of the action launched with the support of the DG Health and Consumer Protection in the context of the "Pollution related diseases Community Action Programme" and represents their views on the subject. These views have not been adopted or in any way approved by the Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the Commission's or Health & Consumer Protection DG's views. The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper, nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof.