Voices from Hyderabad: 2
Insights from India's Next-Generation Researchers and Industry Leaders Part 2
The global conversation around air quality is rich, diverse, and constantly evolving. To truly grasp the challenges and opportunities ahead, we need to listen to a full spectrum of voices—from the researchers pushing the frontiers of science to the industry leaders navigating the practical realities on the ground.
In a special series recorded at the Healthy Buildings 2025 conference in Hyderabad, India, the Air Quality Matters podcast did just that. This episode offers a fascinating window into the region's burgeoning air quality sector, featuring conversations with both the next generation of scientists and seasoned industry professionals. The discussions reveal familiar challenges viewed through a fresh lens, highlighting innovative solutions and critical gaps that resonate globally.
The Next Generation: Pushing the Frontiers of Air Quality Science
The first part of our episode brings together three brilliant researchers whose work represents the cutting edge of air quality science in the built environment. While their fields are distinct, a common thread runs through their work: a drive to solve complex, often overlooked, problems with significant human impact.
The conversation features Sachin Dhawan , Sandeep Budde, PhD , and Aprisia R Murran Murran.
Our discussion delves into several key topics, including:
Innovations in Bioaerosol Monitoring: We often discuss PM2.5, but what about the biological particles we breathe? Sachin Dhawan is tackling the immense challenge of identifying and counting airborne pollen. He explains his work in developing a novel bioaerosol sampler specifically for Indian conditions, where European datasets and technologies fall short. His use of Total Internal Reflection (TIR) microscopy to speciate different pollens and fungal spores is a fascinating leap forward. The conversation touches on the critical question of allergenic thresholds—at what concentration does even a "non-allergenic" pollen become a problem? Hearing Sachin explain the limitations of current methods highlights just how much of this field remains uncharted territory.
Environmental Justice and Industrial Pollution: Sandeep Baud’s research began with a startling personal experience investigating industrial zones, leading him down a path to explore the intersection of pollution, public health, building design, and law. He discusses the clandestine release of industrial pollutants late at night and how these heavier-than-air gases infiltrate nearby homes. One of the most interesting parts of our conversation is his finding on how building design affects exposure. His research suggests that modern homes with more partitions may unintentionally create low-pressure zones that trap pollutants, turning seemingly safer buildings into potential hazards. His story is a powerful reminder that air quality is fundamentally an issue of environmental justice.
Post-Occupancy and Agency in Vulnerable Communities: How do we improve living conditions for those with the fewest resources? Aprizia Murun, an architect working with a local NGO, focuses on post-occupancy evaluation in low-income, informal housing. Her work addresses thermal comfort and overheating—a growing threat due to climate change. Aprizia offers a unique perspective on leveraging the "creativity" and "collective action" of residents as a primary tool for retrofitting their homes. The dialogue explores the immense challenge of empowering people who lack legal ownership and formal resources, a situation that demands solutions built from the ground up.
Hearing these researchers describe their personal journeys and the passion that drives their work provides a context that no summary can fully capture. Their distinct perspectives paint a vivid picture of the future of air quality research.
From the Front Lines: Industry Leaders on Practical Solutions
Shifting from research to application, the second half of the podcast features a conversation with three industry leaders: Karthikeyan Elumalai of Testo India , Kapil Kapoor of VAYUGUARD CLIMATE TECH PVT LTD and Rahul Kapoor Camfil India . Their discussion provides an invaluable real-world perspective on the Indian market, covering everything from measurement and validation to startup innovation and global filtration standards.
The key themes that emerged were:
The Critical Validation Gap: A recurring theme was the disconnect between design intent and actual performance. As Karthik pointed out, systems are often installed without a rigorous process to validate that they are operating as designed. This "install and forget" mentality leaves a huge gap where performance degrades, energy is wasted, and health is compromised. The discussion underscores a fundamental principle: you cannot manage what you do not measure.
Shifting from Products to Holistic Solutions: The conversation moved beyond individual components to the need for integrated, data-driven solutions. Kapil explained how his startup is bridging gaps by creating systems that not only purify the air but also provide real-time data that syncs with building management platforms. This approach allows for proactive maintenance and smarter decision-making, addressing specific pollutants identified through initial analysis rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution.
The Rise of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Perhaps one of the most significant shifts discussed is the move away from focusing solely on the initial purchase price. Rahul eloquently made the case for considering the Total Cost of Ownership for solutions like air filtration. A cheap filter may save money upfront but can cost far more in the long run through higher energy consumption. As he noted, "80% of the cost comes from the energy." This conversation about life cycle cost, energy efficiency, and carbon footprint signals a growing sophistication in the market, further driven by forthcoming standards that will change industry practices, such as banning the washing of filters.
This segment offers a masterclass in the practical challenges and strategic shifts happening within the industry, providing insights valuable for professionals operating in any market.
One Take: The Gap Between Renovation and Real-World Performance
In this week's One Take episode, we dive into a practical and powerful paper from the Journal of Building and Environment titled, "Assessing Ventilation Performance in Schools Using Continuous CO2 Monitoring."
With school districts investing heavily in HVAC upgrades post-COVID, the crucial question remains: did the investment actually work? This study provides an evidence-based playbook for answering that question at scale. Researchers placed continuous CO2 sensors in 138 classrooms across 48 schools, both before and after a district-wide renovation project.
By developing an automated algorithm to analyze the data, they could identify CO2 build-up and decay rates to calculate the all-important air change rate (ACH). The results were clear: the renovations had a significant positive impact, lowering peak CO2 levels and increasing fresh air delivery.
But here’s the crucial insight: even after the upgrades, over half of the schools still had classrooms exceeding the recommended 1,000 ppm CO2 threshold.
This finding highlights the all-too-common gap between design intent and operational reality. The paper’s true value lies in demonstrating how continuous monitoring can be used as an affordable, scalable management tool. It enables a shift from reactive complaints to proactive maintenance, creating a continuous feedback loop: measure, identify, adjust, and confirm. It’s an essential lesson in ensuring that investments in healthy buildings deliver real, sustained results.
These conversations, from cutting-edge research to on-the-ground implementation, highlight the dynamic and complex nature of the air quality sector. To hear the full, nuanced discussions and gain a complete understanding of the insights shared by our guests, we encourage you to listen to the complete episodes.
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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