Indoor Air Quality in Healthcare Facilities

3rd European Conference on Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality in Healthcare Facilities

International Conference

30 October 2026

09:00 - 17:00

Click here to register to the conference

Background

Indoor air quality in healthcare facilities – such as hospitals, care homes, clinics and outpatient centres – has become an increasingly critical public health issue in recent years, emerging as one of the key priorities in the prevention plans and programmes of the Italian National Health Service. In fact, good indoor air quality is a fundamental requirement for healthcare environments, and the aim is to restore primary prevention to its rightful place of importance.
 
The growing focus on this issue has led to significant structural changes in national healthcare facilities, such as the careful selection – based on the various activities carried out and patterns of use – of sources, both in numer and quality, including building materials, finishes and furnishings, cleaning and detergent products, users, air exchange rates, and air distribution and circulation pathways, the adoption of more efficient heating and cooling systems, and more effective, continuous and correct day-to-day operational management of systems and infrastructure, as well as targeted and specific training on indoor air quality
To address this important issue, the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), in collaboration with the Geneva Health Forum (GHF), is organising a conference to discuss current methods for assessing the main chemical and biological pollutants present in indoor air, as well as to explore effective tools for primary prevention, protection and health promotion aimed at patients and healthcare professionals.

About the conference

This conference is part of the European cycle of conferences on indoor air quality initiated by the Geneva Health Forum in 2023. The conference, representing the third edition of the cycle, explores the critical role played by healthcare facilities in primary health prevention through training, staff selection, behavioural practices, building management, design and  maintenance, the management of biological and chemical risks, and good operational practices.
 
Our aim is to raise awareness of these issues among both academic community, healthcare professionals  and policy-making audiences — communities whose priorities and language do not always align, but whose collaboration is essential to progress on this topic. The programme is therefore structured to speak to both audiences, combining policy-oriented sessions with in-depth scientific content and practical, real-world perspectives.
 
The morning session takes a policy-focused approach, opening with keynote addresses — including the presentation of Italy’s National Plan on Clean Air — followed by an expert panel bringing together leading Italian and international stakeholders, including the World Health Organization. These policy discussions will be complemented by dedicated moments exploring the scientific dimensions of indoor air quality, alongside real-world examples of both challenges and best practices in healthcare settings. In the afternoon, thematic roundtables will bring together a mixed audience of researchers and policymakers to discuss key priorities for indoor air quality in healthcare settings, with a particular focus on translating scientific evidence and policy considerations into concrete, actionable implementation.

Objectives

This event aims to further advance the global dialogue on indoor air quality by addressing the crucial role in health primary prevention and promotion played within healthcare facilities. The conference will pursue the following objectives:

Exchange real life experiences and foster an effective dialogue between researchers and relevant stakeholders

Raise awareness on the importance of indoor air quality in hospitals and other health facilities

Develop concrete actions to improve indoor air quality and safeguard the health of all patients, healthcare professionals and caregivers

Registration

This event can be accessed either through reception of direct invitation from the organizers or by registering online, from the end of August 2026 on, directly on the website. Please note that a registration through the website will become effective only upon confirmation of the organizers.

Since the goal is to ensure a trandisciplinary approach, we are warmly welcoming the following profiles to join us for the conference:

  • Policy makers at national and international level
  • Healthcare facilities directors, building managers
  • Researchers and members of leading research centres and the academic community
  • Architects, biologists, chemists, physicists, engineers, doctors, prevention specialists, and experts in indoor air quality, ventilation, air purification and monitoring
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Patients’ organisations representatives
  • Industry professionals active in the field of indoor air quality
  • Representatives of international organisations

Organizers

Images credits, from top to bottom: Canva, Pexels, GHF

Event

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