The National Risk Assessment Agency of Tunisia has launched a guide to enhance indoor air quality in institutions that care for children. The guide, unveiled on Wednesday in the capital, is designed to help identify pollution sources, assess risks, and adopt practical prevention measures. This initiative is part of efforts to prevent potential health risks associated with indoor air pollution.
The guide primarily targets schools, institutes, kindergartens, nurseries, and other spaces dedicated to receiving, organizing, and educating children. It provides simplified tools to evaluate air quality and implement practical actions, promoting good and sustainable practices. The guide includes key messages, preventive measures, and situations that require attention, enabling institution administrators and staff to conduct preliminary air quality assessments.
According to Mohamed Wessim Hani, Director of Environmental Monitoring for Products at the agency, various factors can affect indoor air quality, including poor ventilation, humidity, mold, and fungi. Other contributing factors are materials and products used in enclosed spaces, such as paints, adhesives, furniture, and cleaning products. These can release pollutants, including carbon monoxide, and second-hand smoke.
Dr. Inas Hamzawi, head of the Pulmonary and Chest Diseases department at Abdel Rahman Mami Hospital in Ariana, warned that indoor air pollution particularly affects children, women, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues. Exposure to polluted air can cause asthma attacks, coughing, allergies, breathing difficulties, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. It can also lead to headaches, fatigue, and decreased concentration.
Dr. Hamzawi recommended regular ventilation of enclosed spaces, prohibiting smoking indoors, and maintaining heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. She also suggested limiting the use of products that release substances and odors into the air and regularly cleaning floors and surfaces to prevent dust, mites, and fungi accumulation.
Walid Neejja, General Director of Health, emphasized that implementing the guide's recommendations is a shared responsibility among stakeholders. He noted that protecting children from air pollution-related risks requires combined efforts from various sectors and structures. The guide is seen as a first step towards developing and revising laws and regulations governing air quality in childcare institutions.
The guide's authors plan to translate it into Arabic, as it is currently available only in French, and make electronic copies available to relevant structures involved in childcare. This will help expand its use and support efforts to prevent risks associated with indoor air quality. The guide was developed by a working group comprising experts from public institutions and central administrations under the Ministries of Health, Education, and Social Affairs.
Key points
- The guide provides practical tools for childcare institutions to assess and improve indoor air quality.
- Indoor air pollution poses significant health risks, particularly to children and vulnerable populations.
- The initiative aims to promote a culture of prevention and protection from environmental health risks in Tunisia.
