Calls

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA) are planning to launch a call for tender to quantify the scale and character of the impacts of climate change on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in four different workplace scenarios. The effects of climate change on outdoor air are well documented. Poor air quality has been associated with wildfires or pollution episodes, contributing to respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7215772/pdf/ijerph-17-02927.pdf) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37104117/) . 

However, the impacts of climate change on indoor air have been less studied. Indoor air is affected by environmental, building and human factors and these are being altered by climate change and climate change adaptation.  

Outdoor air can infiltrate indoors through open doors and windows, ventilation systems, and cracks in structures, increasing the concentrations of pollutants indoors including allergens like pollen. Other environmental factors affected by climate change that can impact Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) are temperature and humidity. An increase in outdoor temperature in buildings with natural ventilation only or poor insulation will increase the indoor temperature which may result in a higher release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from furniture, furnishing and building materials. An increase in humidity can result in the growth of microorganisms like bacteria (e.g. Legionella) and mould that can release potentially harmful spores and compounds like mycotoxins. Building age and type of materials are important factors to take into account.   

Climate adaptation and mitigation policies increasingly demand reductions in energy consumption which may lead to unintended consequences. Energy efficiency measures - high levels of airtightness with mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, triple glazed windows and low-carbon heating - if inadequately designed or poorly installed, may increase indoor air pollutant concentrations from internal sources, such as VOCs, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, radon gas and bioaerosols (e.g. allergens, mycotoxins, viruses and bacteria (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65704f719462260721c569ca/HECC-report-2023-chapter-5-…)). 

Human behaviour in response to climate change may also affect IAQ with an increased use of cleaning products due to mould growth caused by an increase in humidity. Another effect of increased temperatures and humidity, and changes in rainfall patterns, is the geographical distribution and abundance of mosquitos. This may lead to increased insecticide use indoors. 

As climate change intensifies, it is becoming increasingly urgent to identify and quantify their impact on IAQ and mitigate their effect on health. Workers are one particular group to consider. The EU OSH legislative framework requires employers to assess and manage all risks to workers’ health and safety under the Framework Directive (89/391/EEC - Directive - 89/391 - EN - EUR-Lex) and related daughter Directive 89/654/EEC (Directive - 89/654 - EN - EUR-Lex). These obligations include workplace indoor air. However, this is not routinely monitored. 

The impact on climate change on IAQ and workers’ health may differ in workplaces, depending on the inflow of outdoor air, level above the ground, sustainability standards of buildings and workplace adaptation measures.  

The specific objectives are: 

Based on the results of this project, the scope could be broadened in a future tender call to evaluate differences in the impact of climate change in IAQ in European regions with different climates and inequalities related to socioeconomic factors.  

Expected deliverables are a report, a non-technical summary, a policy brief, and a PowerPoint presentation.  

The maximum total budget available for the contract to be awarded is EUR 139,000 (excluding VAT).

It is possible to express interest as an individual organisation or a consortium. However please note that invited candidates can submit a joint tender with other economic operators only if they have expressed interest in the planned procedure as a consortium. More information can be found here.

The way, deadline and details for expressing your interest in being invited to tender are available on: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/tender-details/7d825de6-45e9-4c1b-93c2-8b1db312fdc9-EXA 

The technical and professional capacity required for this contract are as follows: