Voices from Hyderabad: 1
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Reality in Air Quality
The conversations we have and how we share what we know are the keys to our success. This principle was on full display at the recent Healthy Buildings Asia 2025 conference in Hyderabad, India, where Air Quality Matters was the official podcast partner. The event provided a unique opportunity to connect with a diverse range of professionals, all united by a passion for creating healthier indoor environments.
In a special two-part episode recorded live from the conference, we sat down with two distinct but interconnected groups: the next generation of researchers pioneering new fields, and the industry leaders on the ground implementing solutions today. The result is a fascinating window into the current state and future direction of building science and air quality, highlighting challenges that feel universal, yet perspectives that offer a fresh, vital view.
The Next Wave: Personalised Comfort, Airborne Microplastics, and Climate-Adapted Design
What problems are the next generation of building scientists focused on solving? Our conversation with PhD scholars Kumar Naddunuri , Sruthy Robert, and Prativa Lamsal revealed a focus on highly specific, human-centric, and emerging challenges that could reshape our approach to indoor environments.
Three key themes emerged from our discussion:
The Future of Personalised Environments: We often design buildings for the "average" occupant, but as anyone who has argued over the office thermostat knows, there's no such thing. Kumar's research is tackling this head-on by advancing the field of personalised ventilation (PV). While the concept has existed since the 1990s, Kumar explained how the post-COVID focus on inhaled air quality has given it new life. His work explores not just providing clean air to an individual’s breathing zone but doing so efficiently by coupling PV with innovative, low-energy technologies like liquid desiccant cooling systems. Complementing this, architect Prativa's work on adaptive thermal comfort in Nepal underscores the critical need to move beyond one-size-fits-all global standards. She argues powerfully that true comfort and sustainability come from designing buildings that reflect local climate, culture, and behaviour—a crucial lesson in an era of homogenised global architecture.
An Emerging Threat: Indoor Airborne Microplastics: When we think of indoor pollutants, we typically think of VOCs, CO2, or particulate matter. But what is that particulate matter made of? Sruthy Roberts is investigating a pollutant that has been largely overlooked in the air we breathe: microplastics. Her journey into this research is compelling in itself, beginning with studying plastics in river sediment before a personal experience in a textile shop sparked a crucial question about the air. The full conversation reveals the alarming potential of these synthetic particles, not just as physical irritants but as potential carriers for other pollutants, creating a cumulative health risk. Hearing Sruti outline this emerging field makes it clear we are only at the beginning of understanding the full composition of our indoor air and its health implications.
From Theory to Practice: The Researcher’s Journey: How does one go from a general engineering degree to specialising in such niche, cutting-edge fields? Each guest shared their unique path, revealing a common thread of curiosity and a refusal to accept the status quo. Kumar’s transition from industry back to academia, driven by a desire to innovate beyond repetitive design patterns, is a story that will resonate with many engineers. These personal journeys offer more than just background; they provide a deeper context for why this work matters so profoundly to them, a nuance best appreciated by hearing them tell it themselves.
The View from the Ground: Industry Leaders on the Knowledge Gap
Following our look at the future, we turned to the present with a panel of industry leaders: Tervinder Singh of Astberg Ventilation Pvt Ltd , Vitalii Matiunin of Airvoice — Air Value Management System , and Deepak Nanaware of AAF (American Air Filter) EEMEA, CIS & SAARC . They provided an unfiltered look at the practical challenges of delivering good air quality today.
Their discussion centred on a critical, overarching challenge: the persistent knowledge gap that exists across the industry. Despite having the technology and tools, fundamental misunderstandings continue to hinder progress. Deepak highlighted common operational mistakes, like building managers attempting to wash disposable filters, while Tervinder pointed out that designers often calculate for square footage and tonnage, forgetting that they are fundamentally conditioning air.
The conversation also explored the classic tension between architects focused on aesthetics and MEP engineers tasked with function, a conflict that often compromises the final performance of a building. To solve this, the panel agreed that a multi-pronged approach is needed. It’s not just about better education and stricter standards; as Vitalii compellingly argued, it’s also about making good air quality desirable—a feature to be marketed and sought after, much like a five-star rating for a hotel. Hearing these three experts, from ventilation, data, and filtration backgrounds, converge on the same core problems and solutions offers a powerful, unified perspective on what needs to change.
One Take: How Much Mould Matters? New Research Says Even a Little is Too Much
In our companion One Take episode, we dissect a landmark paper from the Journal of Environmental Research that asks a simple but vital question: when it comes to mould and asthma in adults, how much is too much?
Researchers tapped into a massive public health study in France, analysing data from over 28,000 adults. They ingeniously asked participants not just if they had visible mould, but to estimate the size of the affected area, using real-world comparisons like A4 paper or the size of a door. This was then compared to their respiratory health data.
The findings were stark. The study confirmed a clear dose-response relationship: the bigger the area of mould, the higher the risk of current asthma and the worse the symptoms.
However, the most crucial takeaway—the one that should make every building manager, landlord, and occupant pay attention—was this: the significant increase in health risk didn’t start with large, dramatic infestations. It began with the very smallest category they measured: just spots of mould.
This research effectively moves the goalposts. It tells us that a "little bit" of mould is not an acceptable or low-priority maintenance issue. It is an active health hazard from the moment it appears. The study provides powerful evidence that our goal shouldn't just be to manage mould, but to eliminate it entirely, because even a little can do harm.
Mouldy area size and asthma symptom score and control in adults: the CONSTANCES cohort
The Air Quality Matters Podcast in Partnership with
Zehnder Group - Farmwood - Eurovent- Aico - Aereco - Ultra Protect -
The One Take Podcast in Partnership with
SafeTraces and Inbiot
Do check them out in the links and on the Air Quality Matters Website.
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