Many local authorities are in the dark when it comes to knowing if their buildings use regularly maintained air filters that comply with indoor air quality standards, according to a new report from Clean Air in London (CAL).
In the report, the cross-party campaigning group claims that indoor air quality (IAQ) can be worse than outdoor (or ambient) air quality due to the many sources of pollution in buildings and homes.

CAL is therefore campaigning to build public understanding of indoor air quality, initially in London, with support from Camfil Farr.

Its report reveals that only eight of 15 buildings in Transport for London's 'Head Office Portfolio' were due to comply fully with air quality standard EN 13779 by April 2012 with seven others in 2012/2013 and many more having no expected compliance date.

It adds: 'CAL has also been surprised to discover a big difference among the 33 local authorities in London in terms of how much they know about indoor air quality standards in their buildings. Some have been able to provide quite detailed information on compliant buildings whilst others seem to have little idea of which buildings comply with EN 13779. Many local authorities have told CAL they do not know about compliance with EN 13779 in some or all of their schools because they are independently managed.'

CAL is therefore encouraging the London Assembly to investigate IAQ with a particular focus on health and energy savings. It has also urged local, regional and central Government bodies to ensure all their buildings use regularly maintained, low energy, air filters that comply fully with EN 13779.

It concludes: 'IAQ should be addressed by Directors of Public Health and the new Health and Wellbeing Boards. There is a tremendous opportunity to improve public health and save energy and money through the use of regularly maintained air filters that comply fully with EN 13779.'

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Guide to air quality