To provide a basis for assessment of risks to human health from indoor air quality, the European Commission has commissioned a draft report on scientific risk assessment, prepared by an independent committee (SCHER - Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks).

The objective of the report is to provide the Commission with a sound scientific basis for developing and implementing policies on indoor air, and to develop a risk assessment strategy for indoor air quality.

You can now contribute to scientific discussions, by participating in the ongoing consultation on the SCHER report on indoor air quality. However, the report is limited to input on the scientific basis of this report, to allow the Scientific Committee to refine its analysis, and does not address policy or risk management needs and measures.

The Scientific Committee's  and the preliminary report covers indoor environments such as private homes and public buildings, where the general public may be exposed to pollutants.

A number of factors in the indoor environment can affect well-being and health, including chemicals emitted from different sources, particles, microbes, humidity, pets and pests. The report identifies gaps in knowledge, especially regarding human exposure, health effects and the impact of indoor air quality on vulnerable groups.

You can contribute input to the consultation on indoor air until 3 April 2007, at the website indicated above. Please note that particular conditions apply for this technical consultation, as set out in the brief guidance note above.