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[Your address]
[MP's name] [House of Commons] London SW1A 0AA
[Date]
Dear [MP's name],
I write to you as a concerned constituent about the critical need to improve indoor air quality in our public spaces. As a [your role: parent/teacher/healthcare worker/business owner], I see daily how poor air quality affects our community. In our schools alone, teacher absences due to respiratory illness contribute to a supply teacher cost of £622 million annually (2021/22), affecting both education quality and public resources.
Scientific evidence published in The Lancet confirms that diseases like COVID-19 spread primarily through the air. This finding, supported by extensive research including studies of long-range transmission and superspreading events, applies equally to influenza and other respiratory infections including Measles and TB. This understanding is essential for protecting public health now and during future pandemics.
The financial impact of poor indoor air quality is substantial. Predominantly airborne Respiratory infections cost our society over £23 billion each year. Without decisive action to mitigate airborne disease transmission indoors, the UK faces potential losses of £1.3 trillion over 60 years. However, research shows that improved ventilation could reduce workplace and school absences by more than 20%, generating £3 billion in annual societal benefits.
Scientific studies demonstrate that HEPA filtration and enhanced ventilation reduce airborne infection transmission. These systems continuously replenish and clean indoor air, removing infectious aerosols before they can infect others. While the United States and Australia are implementing nationwide clean air programmes to prevent infections, the UK currently lacks comprehensive protection against airborne diseases.
I urge you to support measures that will protect public health by:
Your advocacy for clean indoor air would strengthen our defences against current and future infectious diseases. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can better protect public health through improved indoor air quality.
Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your constituency/postcode]
[Your contact details]
Scientific References:
1. Greenhalgh, T., Jimenez, J.L., et al. *Ten scientific reasons in support of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2*. The Lancet, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00869-2
2. Royal Academy of Engineering. *Infection Resilient Environments: Social Cost Benefit Analysis*. NERA Economic Consulting, 2022.
3. Department of Health and Social Care. *CLASS ACT Study Findings on HEPA Filters in Schools*. 2024.
4. World Health Organization. *Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Implications for Infection Prevention Precautions*. WHO.