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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 |
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SNOY THÉRÈSE |
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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. |
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Origine: BELGIQUE |
Partenaires: B,D,L |
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ALLSAN-IT |
Maastrichterweg 10 NL - NL-6277 NW SLENAKEN Tél: ( + 31 ) 43 45 74 264 Fax: ( + 31 ) 43 45 74 265 |
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Md RAMECKERS EDITH M.AL. |
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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. |
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Origine: PAYS-BAS |
Partenaires:A,B,D,DK,E,FIN,I,IRL,NL,S,UK,BG,HU,MT,NO,RO,SI,CH |
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EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF ASTHMA & ALLERGY ASSOCIATIONS EFA |
71 Kyviksvägen S - S-42931 KULLAVIK Tél: ( + 46 ) 31930557 Fax: ( + 46 ) 31930557 |
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Ms HEJDENBERG KERSTIN |
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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. |
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Origine: SUEDE |
Partenaires: A,B,D,DK,E,EL,F,FIN,I,IRL,L,NL,P,S,UK NO,CH,CZ,HU,SI |
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The
Right to Breathe Healthy Indoor Air in Schools |
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