This is a new guideline on improving the air quality in people’s homes. It was published in Jan 2020.
The crux of this is that there is an increasing awareness that indoor air pollution (think cooking fumes, damp, sprays, fires etc) can be damaging to health.
What do we have to do as GPs?
- Spot patients that may be more at risk (see below).
- Spot housing conditions that may be more risky (see below).
- Advise patients on how to access a ‘housing assessment’ from the local authority. I suspect that these pathways aren’t up and running yet, but maybe soon?
- Give advice on reducing risk.
Which patients are more at risk from indoor air pollution?
The following patients may be at higher risk from the effects of indoor air pollution:
- those with pre-existing health conditions, eg asthma, COPD, allergies or cardiovascular disease.
- pregnant women and their unborn babies.
- pre-school children.
- older people.
- people in poor quality housing.
- people exposed to tobacco smoke in their homes.
- people who live in poverty.
