Public perception of indoor air quality in China, Belgium and France: the discovery of an invisible enemy

Abstract

Having remained relatively unrecognized by public opinion until the early 2000s, indoor air pollution is now seen by a majority of French, Belgian and also Chinese residents as the probable cause of symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, and health problems in general. However, the lack of information on indoor air quality in frequently visited enclosed spaces (private premises, workplaces and common areas, transportation) often leads to subjective diagnoses, exacerbated by the difficulty in identifying the sources of indoor air pollution. Nevertheless, it must be regarded as a public health issue, as reflected by growing anxiety among parents about the quality of the air their children breathe inside school buildings, for example. In this context, more robust legislation and standards are considered indispensable in ensuring better prevention and risk assessment.