Improved Indoor Air Quality in Public Settings (Motion #17-23)

Moved by Signoretti – Gignac

Approved by Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts, April 20, 2023

17-23 IMPROVED INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN PUBLIC SETTINGS

WHEREAS the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2), as well as other respiratory viruses, are spread principally through respiratory droplets and aerosols; and 

WHEREAS ventilation can affect how well respiratory droplets and aerosols are removed from an area.  As noted by the Ontario Science Table, “aerosols play a role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, especially in poorly ventilated indoor areas”; and

WHEREAS Canada’s Chief Science Advisor recommends that owners and operators of indoor public facilities “scale-up and monitor effective prevention interventions, such as improving ventilation in schools, workplaces and public places as part of a first line of prevention of SARS-CoV2 infection and other respiratory/airborne pathogens”;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts endorse the letters dated March 3, 2023, from Peterborough Public Health to federal and provincial ministers calling for investments and policy levers to improve indoor air quality in public settings such that health is further protected for all; and

FURTHER THAT this resolution be shared with relevant federal and provincial government ministers, area members of parliament and provincial parliament, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and Ontario boards of health.

CARRIED

This item was last modified on April 24, 2023