What Are The World Health Organization Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality?
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that addresses public health on a global scale. Among the many issues it monitors, indoor air pollution has been identified as a major public health concern in countries around the world—including in developed nations. Surprisingly, indoor air can often be more polluted than outdoor air. Because it is more concentrated, indoor air pollution poses serious health risks in homes, workplaces, daycare centers, schools, healthcare facilities, and other enclosed environments. To help residents and organizations manage this issue, the WHO has developed a comprehensive set of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Guidelines, presented across four major publications. These guidelines are based on decades of scientific research and are updated as new evidence emerges. The Four Core WHO IAQ Guidelines 1. Air Quality Guidelines for Particulate Matter, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Sulfur Dioxide First published: 1987 Updated: 2005 (with periodic updates) This foundational guideline focuses on the four most common indoor pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) Ozone (O₃) Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) These substances are either introduced directly through indoor activities (like cooking or heating) or enter from outside sources (like vehicle emissions). The WHO sets 24-hour...
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