Environmental Health in Israel | 2014

Environmental Health in Israel 2014  Chapter 2 Progress and Challenges  Since the average person spends up to 90% of his or her time inside buildings, it is important to collect data on IAQ in Israel, with an emphasis on public buildings. The MoEP in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education is planning a pilot program in schools throughout Israel in 2015. Following collection of data on IAQ, it is important to evaluate the potential health impact of exposure to indoor air pollutants in Israel, particularly among sensitive populations such as children.  Residential dust is an important tool for assessing human exposure to indoor contaminants. There are no available data on levels of contaminants in residential dust in Israel.  Green Building, which has recently been promoted in Israel, provides an opportunity to boost efforts to protect IAQ in new buildings, including testing of ventilation systems. Israel Standard 5281 for Sustainable Building, passed in 2011, includes reference to ventilation and air quality in buildings with forced ventilation systems and restrictions on VOC levels in buildings. However, reducing energy consumption by thermal insulation can have potentially adverse effects on IAQ in homes due to the accumulation of pollutants from indoor sources.  The Ministry of Construction and Housing's new Building Code, which has yet to be approved, and Israel Standard 6210 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality) will be able to provide guidelines for reducing human exposure to chemical, physical, and biological pollutants in indoor environments. However, it is important to emphasize that Standard 6210 does not apply to private homes, above-ground buildings of three stories or less, vehicles, or boats.  Sick Building Syndrome, typically affecting workplaces, is an important public health issue. The Ministry of Economy and the MoEP are not authorized to routinely monitor air quality in closed buildings used as workplaces, and there is unclear division of authority between these bodies in the case of complaints regarding Sick Building Syndrome. Collaboration among the Ministries of Health, Environmental Protection, Education, and Economy is required to develop a comprehensive approach to this problem. - 22 -