Finnish Indoor Air and Health Programme has developed ways of improving human well-being during the first part of the year
The Finnish Indoor Air and Health Programme produces new information and tools connected with problems related to indoor air and to treat and support those suffering from symptoms. Below are some of the key results of the programme from the spring of 2021.
Health care professionals were given training and new information to support their work
The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and Filha ry used questionnaires to ascertain how symptoms caused by indoor air are seen in health care. According to the study, those with mild symptoms in an indoor air environment can be helped easily, but more methods are needed for those with severe symptoms.
Report: Symptoms among employees in indoor air environments – occupational health care point of view (in Finnish)
Study: Present state of care and service paths in primary health care and specialised health care at pulmonary clinics for those suffering symptoms in indoor environment (in Finnish)(pdf 585 kt)
Blog: Using all means to help those suffering symptoms caused by indoor air (in Finnish)
Health care expert group took a stand on ultraclean spaces. According to the group of experts, there are no medical justifications for the use of ultraclean spaces, and they should not be used until their long-term effects on health and well-being have been ascertained. Instead of using specially ultracleaned spaces, persons with prolonged symptoms should be given wide-ranging and knowledge-based support.
Statement: Moving those with symptoms in indoor environment to ultraclean spaces – risks and needs for investigation (in Finnish)
Health care professionals were also given training. Filha ry, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, and THL arranged a course at the Finnish Medical Convention and the Oulu Medical Convention called ”Does indoor air cause anguish? How to open the game”.
Training programmes for Finnish health care districts for 2021 arranged by Filha ry have also been launched. A video library for health care professionals that includes training materials has also been opened.
Information was produced for work places and possibilities for learning new things were created
The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health checked the content of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in office-type workspaces. According to the study, all the ordinary concentrations of the compounds in indoor air proved to be quite small. They were significantly below the European and German health-based limits and the limits that trigger action as set by the Finnish Decree on Health-related Conditions of Housing and Other Residential Buildings:
Overview: Volatile organic compounds in office-type work environments – Emission sources, measurement methods, concentration levels, and health effects (in Finnish)
Training was also offered to experts in building health and workplace actors. A webinar of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health on updating information on workplace indoor air issues was held in May. The next corresponding webinar will be held on 5 October 2021.
Blog: Do not hesitate to raise the question of ability to work also in indoor air situations (in Finnish)
Blog: Sparring to improve procedures of indoor air group (in Finnish)
Blog: Testing toxicity of indoor air will not solve indoor air problems (in Finnish)
Programme's latest results presented at Indoor Climate Seminar
The Finnish Indoor Air and Health Programme was a partner of Finland’s largest indoor air event, the Indoor Climate Seminar. The virtual seminar organised by the Indoor Air Association featured presentations by many experts of the Finnish Indoor Air and Health Programme who gave information for example on the management of indoor air processes and indoor air groups.
News: Finnish Indoor Air and Health Programme presents results at Indoor Air Seminar (in Finnish and Swedish)
The goal of the Finnish Indoor Air and Health Programme is to promote health and well-being by reducing harms related to indoor air environment in Finland. The programme is coordinated by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Filha ry, The Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland, the Allergy and Asthma Association and the Indoor Air Association participate actively in the work. The programme implements measures in the Government's Healthy Spaces 2028 -programme on promoting health and well-being.
More information
National Indoor Air and Health 2018–2028 Programme
Anne Hyvärinen
research professor
THL
tel. +358 29 524 6364
firstname.lastname(at)thl.fi
