The health of children and the elderly is at risk from the effects of indoor air pollution, a pressure group claimed yesterday.
Friends of the Earth said many building materials and paints on the market still contained potentially toxic chemicals.
The group organised a lecture yesterday at the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong in Wan Chai to highlight the problem.
Plato Yip Kwong-to, assistant director of Friends of the Earth, said: 'The chemicals are strong toxins and can affect children whose lungs are still maturing.
'The elderly are more vulnerable still and there may be an increased risk of death.' Guest lecturer Matthias Licht, a specialist in eco-friendly products, said many building materials made from petrochemicals, plastics and insulating materials may contain toxic chemicals that could be harmful.