The National Indoor Air and Health Programme 2018-2028 in Finland (workshop summary)

The workshop described the content and the progress of the The Finnish Indoor Air and Health programme 2018-2028 and highlight some recent research results and topical issues. The levels of most indoor air pollutants are in general lower than in other European countries, main exception being radon. Despite of this, building-related symptoms, concern, and mistrust are very common. Finnish experience suggests that if we exaggerate poorly known health risks of low-level exposures, we may in the long run cause health problems, like excessive concern, symptoms, and even new cases of environmental intolerance. Therefore, we should stress more the positive effects of good indoor environment on wellbeing. We also need to be very critical when interpreting results from symptom questionnaires, as building-related symptoms are associated not only with indoor air exposures, but also with many other biological, psychological, and social factors. These other factors may dominate especially in situations, where indoor exposure levels are low, but the concern is high. When dealing with single persons with symptoms, we need to involve the medical community and base actions on evidence-based medicine. Indoor air may contain pollutants that can increase the risk of mainly respiratory symptoms and selected diseases and reduce well-being. In addition to early intervention for moisture damage or other faults in the buildings and in the operating systems, building users' concerns need to be considered comprehensively, focusing on timely and open communication. There is also a need to distribute reliable, balanced information on the health effects of indoor air pollutants.