The IDEAL Cluster is a collaborative effort that aims to close significant knowledge gaps regarding how key environmental, occupational, and socio-economic risk factors impact health and well-being across Europe. Focusing on indoor air quality (IAQ), the cluster brings together seven research projects focused on advancing scientific understanding of IAQ and its primary pollution sources within indoor environments. By generating evidence and offering recommendations, the cluster strives to support better policy decisions and promote healthier indoor spaces for all. To ensure that these findings translate into actionable policies, the IDEAL Cluster established Working Group 1, co-led by the K-HEALTHinAIR and SynAir-G projects, to spearhead science-to-policy translation. This Working Group is responsible for developing policy briefs and recommendations that will inform European and national authorities and drive the integration of research outcomes into broader health, environment, and climate strategies.
The first Joint Policy Brief (JPB1) of the IDEAL Cluster provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of Indoor Air Quality in Europe, emphasizing the need for policy coherence and decisive action. Indoor air pollution continues to pose a significant threat to public health, and this brief outlines key objectives of the cluster’s projects while addressing gaps in existing EU legislative frameworks concerning health, environment, climate, and building policies. JPB1 highlights essential policy questions, such as the legal definition of IAQ, the interplay between personal behaviour and environmental factors, and the importance of harmonizing approaches to IAQ measurement and regulation across Europe.
The IDEAL Cluster calls on the EU to establish a sound legal foundation for addressing the fragmented IAQ landscape and advancing a strategic framework that aligns with the EU Green Deal and One Health agenda. The brief also advocates for stronger standards on IAQ management, fostering innovation that ensures equal access to clean indoor air, and conducting surveys to understand public perception, especially post-COVID-19. These steps will help create healthier indoor environments and position IAQ as a priority in public health policies across Europe.
