The inside story: Health effects of indoor air quality on children and young people

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Physicians wish to support clinicians by providing the tools to advocate for healthy air for their patients. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out clear guidance to protecting the rights of children and young people, including a child’s right to the best possible health (Article 24) and the right to a good standard of living. Government must support this where the family is unable (Article 27). Unicef also consider1 that clean air is a right for all children. The Royal Colleges vigorously advocate for a healthy environment at the population level and in local communities, especially where socioeconomic circumstances limit the choice of where people can live, and which school children attend. When there is mounting evidence to establish a potential cause of preventable ill health Royal Colleges can advocate for change, including regulatory change. This has happened before for tobacco smoking, asbestos, outdoor air pollution, and damp, mouldy homes. The focus of this report is about the emerging evidence on indoor air pollution, and sets out recommendations aimed at preventing poor indoor air quality affecting the health and well-being of children.