Following a successful project annual general meeting in Athens, the second SynAir-G workshop was organised to address the pressing issue of indoor air quality (IAQ) and its impact on children’s health. The workshop highlighted the voice of students facing challenges with poor indoor air quality and how scientific findings can be transformed into effective measures, with a focus on tailoring solutions to the local context and implications of IAQ in schools.
The keynote address by Prof. George P. Chrousos, Professor of Pediatrics and Endocrinology Emeritus at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and one of the most cited scientists internationally, set the tone for the workshop, emphasizing the importance of clean indoor air for children’s health. As an expert in pediatrics and endocrinology, Prof. Chrousos provided valuable insights into the physiological impact of air pollutants on children, underscoring the need for evidence-based policy interventions.
The first session, entitled “Clean Air Indoors: the Role of EU Policies in Reducing Air Pollutants,” featured a panel discussion on current EU regulations related to IAQ. During this time, the role of research was highlighted as a tool to help identify and study requirements in order to adapt an EU-wide definition of IAQ. Furthermore, during the presentation of key takeaways of the IDEAL cluster policy brief, a special emphasis was placed on improving awareness about the importance of IAQ and addressing the public misconception that indoor air is safer than outdoor air as this is not always the case. The promotion of clean-air alternatives and the use of modern heating were also encouraged.
The second session focused on “Enhancing IAQ in Greek Schools: National Strategies and Implementation.” This session brought together stakeholders from various sectors in Greece, including a primary school principal, a student with Asthma, and a pediatrician to discuss the challenges and progress made in implementing IAQ strategies in schools. Participants highlighted the SynAir-G project’s role in developing practical solutions for improving air quality in educational settings and ensuring a healthier environment for children across the country.
The workshop closed with a further overview of what the SynAir-G project has accomplished thus far and the next steps the project is making to ensure that IAQ across partner schools are improved and that key results and learnings are shared to a wider audience.
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