From Biodefense to Better Buildings
In the complex world of the built environment, we often rely on design specifications, building codes, and standards to assure us that our buildings are safe and healthy. But how often do we get to see the real-world, dynamic performance of these spaces? What actually happens when an airborne contaminant is introduced into a complex HVAC system or a crowded room?
This gap between theory and reality is where my latest guest on the Air Quality Matters podcast, Erik Malmstrom , CEO of SafeTraces, Inc. operates. His company, born from the urgent biosecurity concerns following 9/11, has developed a remarkable technology platform that offers an unprecedented window into how our buildings truly function.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Erik and I explored the journey from developing surrogate agents for anthrax spores to verifying the safety of schools and hospitals today. The insights gathered from deploying this technology at the "coalface" provide a fascinating, and sometimes surprising, look at what’s really going on with the air we breathe indoors.
Making the Invisible Visible: A PET Scan for Buildings
At the heart of our discussion was the SafeTraces technology itself. For those unfamiliar, it’s a far cry from a typical IAQ sensor. As Erik explains, the platform uses harmless, DNA-tagged liquid particles that are aerosolised into a space to safely simulate the movement of an airborne pathogen. Think of it as a PET scan for a building’s respiratory system. By placing samplers throughout a facility, his team can map exactly where these particles travel, how quickly they are cleared from a space, and where potential cross-contamination risks lie.
This isn’t just about seeing if the ventilation is "on." It's about generating quantifiable, ground-truth data on performance. One of the most compelling capabilities we discussed is the technology's ability to measure not just particle removal, but also pathogen inactivation—a crucial distinction when evaluating the real-world efficacy of technologies like upper-room or far-UVC. Hearing Erik explain how this is achieved provides a much deeper appreciation for the nuanced difference between removing a threat and neutralising it while it remains in the air.
Surprising Truths: From Over-Performance to Inefficiency
One of the most intriguing parts of our conversation centred on the diverse building types SafeTraces has assessed. The findings often challenge common assumptions. When testing controlled environments like hospitals and biopharma labs, you might expect to find areas of underperformance. Instead, Erik revealed a common theme: over-engineering and over-ventilation.
Many of these critical spaces run at air change rates far exceeding what’s necessary for effective pathogen control, even beyond code requirements. While this comes from a "safety-first" mindset, it carries a significant and often unnecessary energy and cost penalty. The conversation delves into how this data can empower facility managers to have a more sophisticated, evidence-based discussion about optimising their buildings, achieving safety goals more efficiently without compromising on health outcomes. It’s a powerful argument that better data doesn’t always mean more cost; sometimes, it reveals an opportunity to save.
The Long Tail: Confronting Reality in Our Schools and Public Spaces
At the other end of the spectrum is what Joseph Allen calls the "long tail" of the built environment: our schools, public transit, and everyday commercial buildings. Here, the picture is often starkly different. Erik shared his experiences working in K-12 schools, a subject he is clearly passionate about. These environments are frequently under-maintained and under-resourced, creating a huge equity issue where our most vulnerable populations are often in the poorest-performing buildings.
However, the story isn't one of complete despair. The data gathered in these spaces provides a clear pathway for targeted, high-impact interventions. Instead of being overwhelmed by the scale of the problem, understanding exactly which rooms or systems are failing allows for the strategic deployment of limited resources, such as using low-cost solutions like Corsi-Rosenthal boxes where they’re needed most. This outcome-oriented approach is a theme we returned to—you can’t manage what you can’t measure, and visualising the problem is the first step toward solving it effectively.
From Data to Action: The Push for a New Standard
The final part of our discussion moved from technology to policy. How do we translate these individual building insights into broader, systemic change? Erik shared his involvement with a recent high-level meeting at Stanford, convened by leading academics like Lydia Morawska, to push for mandated indoor air quality standards.
Frustrated by the slow pace of traditional standards bodies, this group is championing a "bias towards action," advocating for piloting standards in real-world buildings to learn by doing. Erik’s perspective as a practitioner at the coalface—who understands the friction points with building owners and the economic realities they face—was incredibly valuable. He argues passionately that without raising the regulatory floor, the "have-not" buildings will always be left behind. Hearing his take on bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policy provides a roadmap for how we might finally move the needle on this critical public health issue.
One Take: A Sobering Look at Air Quality in Social Housing
In this week's One Take episode, I review a crucial paper from Applied Sciences titled "A Review of Indoor Air Quality in Social Housing across Low- and Middle-Income Countries." This is a topic that sits at the intersection of housing, public health, and social justice, and the findings are a stark reminder of the inequities that persist globally.
The review paints a sobering picture, concluding that residents in these settings face "disproportionately higher exposure to harmful pollutants." The numbers are staggering. During cooking with solid fuels, PM2.5 levels were found to peak as high as 1,360 µg/m³—nearly 100 times the WHO's 24-hour guideline. These dangerous levels are driven by a combination of factors: the use of solid fuels for cooking and heating, inadequate ventilation, off-gassing from low-cost building materials, and overcrowding.
Crucially, the paper highlights that occupant behaviour, often driven by cultural norms and socioeconomic pressures, is a massive piece of the puzzle. A well-designed ventilation system is ineffective if residents keep windows closed for privacy or security. The review calls for an urgent expansion of research to develop cost-effective, validated interventions that are tailored to the specific climatic, cultural, and economic realities of these diverse communities. It underscores a vital point: we cannot simply parachute in solutions from high-income countries. This is a complex challenge that demands a holistic approach, recognising that a healthy home is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right.
Hear the Full Conversation
This summary only scratches the surface of a deep and insightful conversation with Erik Malmstrom. To fully grasp the nuances of the SafeTraces technology, the surprising data from different buildings, and the passionate discussion around policy and the future of aerobiology, I encourage you to listen to the full episode. It’s a must-listen for anyone in the built environment sector interested in moving beyond speculation to data-driven, outcome-oriented building performance.
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