Develop comprehensive national regulations, strategies and campaigns about healthy buildings that include dampness and mould prevention (83).
Housing, construction, health
National
Regulation
UBL.WJ.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200
Policy change concerning indoor air quality
Political services, systems and products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Equip local authorities with a clear mandate and sufficient resources to work on the prevention of dampness and mould (83).
Housing, construction
National
Governance
UBL.VA.ZZ&UES#ICF e2200
Capacity building in relation to indoor air quality
Political services, systems and policies
Plants
Implement preventive measures against dampness and mould in building design and construction such as adequate insulation, ventilation and heating (83).
Building design and construction needs to consider climate, culture, location and intended use.
Housing, construction
National;
Community
Other management and control; infrastructure, technology and built environment
UBL.AA.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200
Assessment of aspects of indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Implement regular professional building inspection and maintenance (83).
Housing, construction
National, community
Assessment and surveillance, other management and control
UBL.AA.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200
Assessment of aspects of indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Provide targeted and easy-to- access information by health, housing and consumer protection agencies, which tend to be the first agencies contacted for support (83).
Housing, construction, health
National,
Community
Information, education and communication
UBL.PN.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200
Advising about indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Ensure prompt and adequate remediation including both moisture control and mould abatement (83).
Housing, construction
National, community
Other management and control
UBL.VL.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200
Environment remediation to influence indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Remove or mechanically clean all mould and contaminated materials (83).
Housing, construction
National, community
Other management and control
UBL.VL.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200
Environment remediation in relation to indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Identify the root causes of damp, moisture or mould occurrence (83).
Selected key actions include:
• identify and address indoor and outdoor sources of dampness;
• improve thermal insulation;
• control or adapt ventilation;
• increase indoor temperatures as necessary.
Housing,
Construction
National,
community
Assessment and surveillance, other management and control
UBL.AM.ZZ&UAME#ICF e2200
Acquisition of information about indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Avoid the use of biocides and/or chemical compounds for the prevention of mould and, to the extent possible, minimize their use in mould remediation (83).
Housing, construction
National, community
Other management and control
UBL.TM.ZZ&VCC&UGL#ICF e2200
Environment modification to influence indoor air quality
Home safety behaviours
Chemicals and chemical products
Plants
Develop and disseminate information to the public with a focus on vulnerable population groups – such as people with asthma, allergies or respiratory disorders; those immunocompromised; and children, older people and people living in substandard housing (83).
This should entail information on the health effects of indoor dampness and mould, advice on preventing dampness and excessive moisture (e.g. through information on adequate residential behaviour, ventilation and building maintenance) and on suitable steps to take if mould growth does occur.
Health; housing, construction
"National, community
Universal health coverage"
Information, education and communication
UBL.VB.ZZ&UAL#ICF e2200
Awareness raising concerning indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings for private use
Plants
UBL.PN.ZZ&UAL#ICF e2200
Advising about indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings for private use
Plants
Implement appropriate training and education curricula within the housing and construction sectors to address the relevance of building quality and its links to health (83).
Housing, construction, health
National
Information, education and communication
UBL.PM.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200
Education about indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
UBL.PH.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200
Training about indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants"
Raise awareness among building users about key indicators and signs that indicate problems with moisture or mould (83).
Housing, construction, health
National,
Community,
Universal health coverage
Information, education and communication
UBL.VB.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200
Awareness raising about indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Raise awareness among building owners about their responsibility for providing healthy workplaces or living environments that are free of excessive moisture and mould (83).
Health, housing, construction
National, community
Universal health coverage
Information, education and communication
UBL.VB.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200#ISIC Division 68
Awareness raising about indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Real estate activities
Raise awareness among the health sector about key indicators and typical health outcomes associated with indoor environments (83).
Health
National, community
Universal health coverage
Information,
education and communication
UBL.VB.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200#ISIC Division 86
Awareness raising about indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Human health activities
Develop housing manuals that summarize the operative tasks and challenges of the building, its construction style and its equipment as a guidance and information tool for building users (83).
Housing, construction
National, community
Information, education and communication
UBL.PM.ZZ&UAM#ICF e2200#ISIC Division 58
Education about indoor air quality
Design, construction and building products and technology of buildings, unspecified
Plants
Publishing activities
• WHO Regional Office for Europe 2010: Technical and policy recommendations to reduce health risks due to dampness and mould (83)
• WHO Regional Office for Europe/Health and Environment Alliance 2009: Damp and mould: health risks, prevention and remedial actions. Information brochure (84)
• WHO Regional Office for Europe 2007: Guidelines for indoor air quality: dampness and mould (82)