NATIONAL PROFILE on Chemicals Management - UNITAR

7 2.2 Inter-Ministerial Meeting on Indoor Air PollutantsThe Meeting coordinates and takes measures on the so-called “Sick House Syndrome” orhealth problems caused by chemicals including formaldehyde emitted from buildingmaterials used in construction.DiagramOverview of comprehensive measures against “Sick House Syndrome”● Formaldehyde, toluene,xylene,paradichlorobenzene, ...● Adhesives, organicsolvents, plasticizers, antitermiteagents, fungicides,insecticides, etc.● TVOC (Total VolatileOrganic Compounds)Health standards and standards formeasurement methods- Establishment of health standardsfor the concentration of indoor airpollutants- Establishment of measurementstandards for the concentration ofindoor air- Establishment of measurementstandards for the emission amount- Development of simple and easymeasurement methodsPreventive measures- JIS and JAS standards for building materials- Display of usage and emission levels of chemical substances- Support for technology development of safe buildingmaterial- Building standards (building materials, ventilation equipment,etc.) based on the Building Standard Law- Indication of function of houses according to the HousingQuality Assurance Law- Planning and construction guidelines, etc. (regarding theselection of building materials and facilities)- Preferential financing for healthy homes- Standards, etc. for sanitation in buildings according to theLaw of Management of Sanitation in Buildings- Standards, etc. according to the Law for the Control ofHousehold Products Containing Harmful Substances- Healthy home guidelinesImprovement of the counselling system- Health centres, regional institutes for healthresearch- Local government housing centres, PL centres,Centre for Housing Renovation and DisputeSettlement Support, etc.- Counselling manuals, workshops- Improvement of measuring equipments andmeasuring services- Build networks of various counselling systemsAnalysis of causes- Surveys on the actual situation ofindoor chemical substances (A)- Surveys on the actual situation ofhealth damage (B)- Research on the relation betweenA and B- Surveys on the various emissionsources and emitted amounts- Surveys on their relation with theway of living such as installationof ventilation equipments- Surveys on allergen such as mitesand mouldRefurbishment of pollutedhomes- Support for thedevelopment, assessmentand dissemination ofvarious reductionmeasures including aircleaners, absorbingagents, ventilationequipments, bake-out,etc.- Dispute settlement, etc.Measures in the areas of medicaltreatment and research- Build networks of specialised medicalinstitutions- Collection of data on various cases- Research on diagnostic standards andtreatment methods- Improvement of the diagnosis andtreatment system50