Healthy homes
The air we breathe directly affects our hearts and lungs. We're calling on the Government to treat clean air as the public health priority it is.
The problem
People spend up to 90% of their lives indoors, and indoor air can be just as harmful as outdoor.
Unflued gas heaters, poor ventilation, damp, and mould all trigger and worsen respiratory and cardiac disease. Māori, Pacific peoples, and those on lower incomes are disproportionately likely to live in homes and communities where air quality is poor.
Poor indoor air quality has also been linked to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular stress, risks that compound for people already living with heart conditions.
We need good laws to ensure all New Zealanders can breathe easily where they live, learn, and work.
The solution
The Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ is calling on the Government to:
- Fully enforce Healthy Homes Standards through independent accredited assessments and meaningful infringement fees for non-compliant landlords
- Ban unflued gas heaters indoors
- Require indoor air quality monitoring in all schools and workplaces
Learn more
Many rentals may still fall short as healthy homes deadline arrives
As winter grips the country, many Kiwis will go to sleep tonight in rental homes that may still be putting their health at risk.