Founder of Her Own Space, Ellora has successfully cultivated a community that now exceeds 3,000 members, all united in their quest to navigate the complexities of home renovation and retrofit projects across the UK.

The podcast episodes underscore the pivotal lessons the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us about indoor air quality. The discussions elucidate the intricate relationship between indoor environments and health, spotlighting particulate matter (PM 2.5) as a significant concern.

Cath articulated how the pandemic has thrust indoor air quality and ventilation into unprecedented focus. This surge in awareness, spanning public discourse to scientific exploration, marks a critical shift in how we perceive and prioritize the air within our buildings. The dialogue around ventilation, once a peripheral concern, has now ascended to the forefront of public health discussions, symbolizing a paradigm shift in our collective consciousness. 

With two decades in the field of indoor air quality management. Her core domain of work is research on Indoor Air Quality and its exposure assessment. Priyanka is a fascinating window into the field of air quality in India right now, where it has come from and where it may be heading.

Her story begins with a distinguished medical career, starting with a degree from Harvard, leading to pediatric oncology, and research into cellular growth control mechanisms. However, her career took a unique turn as she observed the built environment's impact on patient health, specifically regarding healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

She highlighted the growing significance of labelling buildings for air quality, similar to how energy performance is labelled. Though not mandatory, this practice is increasingly becoming a standard for conscientious building owners. It's a critical step towards transparency because indoor air quality directly impacts health and well-being. Moreover, Francesca predicts that air quality labelling will become as common and expected as energy performance certificates (EPCs).

Pawel is an indoor climate scientist and expert, his research has influenced the development of indoor air sciences and  it is hard to overstate the impact he has had in this sector.

Ian has been a long-standing partner of the AECOM-led technical team appointed to support the UK Government (now the Building Safety Regulator, part of HSE) and, separately, the Welsh Government, in developing revisions to Parts F and L of the Building Regulations for England and Wales, respectively.

Henry Burridge’s background is a tapestry of engineering and environmental advocacy. His expertise in fluid mechanics, honed through years of academic and practical experience, places him at the forefront of air quality research. His work, intersecting with projects like TAPAS and the Future Urban Ventilation Network, emphasises a multi-dimensional approach to environmental engineering - one that intersects human health, architectural design, and climate responsiveness.

Nathan Wood, the Managing Director of Farmwood, shared insights that are vital for professionals in the field. His extensive roles, including Chairmanships in various air quality associations, lend significant weight to his observations on industry practices, design challenges, and regulatory landscapes.

In the complex world of indoor air quality, my recent chat with Ben Jones, an associate professor at the University of Nottingham, was particularly insightful. Ben's transition from aeronautical engineering to a leading voice in air quality research demonstrates a commitment to environmental innovation, particularly in understanding and mitigating the harm caused by indoor pollutants.

Tyler shared his insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the corporate world's perspective on healthy buildings. He emphasised the critical role that indoor air quality plays in ensuring the safety and well-being of building occupants. One key takeaway was the potential risk of society's short memory, particularly post-pandemic. Tyler stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum in prioritising healthy building environments.

I had the great pleasure of talking to Peter Rickaby in the second episode of the Air Quality Matters Podcast.

Now living in South Africa, he is an Independent Energy and Sustainability Consultant working for the UK housing and building industries, an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at University College London (UCL) and a member of the management team of the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings.

My Conversation with Max Sherman on the Evolution of Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Standards For episode 1 of "Air Quality Matters," I had the privilege of discussing the intricacies of air quality and ventilation with none other than Max Sherman.

Max's contributions to the field are immense, and his insights from over three decades at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have helped shape our understanding of indoor air quality.

We come unstuck far too often because we fail to take the time to consider the fundamentals of ventilation.

And nowhere shows this up more than in a retrofit.

With all that we have been through over the last few years and the ever-increasing awareness of health and well-being and indoor air quality in the workplace, I would have expected more—a chance for those responsible for our environmental and occupational health to raise the bar.

Unlocking better ventilation and air quality outcomes in housing.In 2019 the UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published a report, “Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality in New Homes.”

The study's results indicated poor indoor air quality in several monitored homes. In all cases, failure to meet indoor air quality indicators corresponded with failure to meet the ADF ventilation recommendations.

The ubiquitous nature of ventilation, if done well, offers us an opportunity to deliver meaningful outcomes in such a broad cross-section of our housing it can’t or shouldn’t be ignored. It’s a central pillar in the outcomes of so much of what we want to achieve with good housing.

In case you hadn't spotted, I launched my new consultancy practice in the last couple of weeks, Air Quality Matters, offering outcome-focused air quality and ventilation strategy, communication and business support.

So as I get started on this frankly terrifying adventure, I thought it might be an excellent time to explain more about my motivations behind it and what I hope to achieve.

Indoor air quality is a significant factor in our health and well-being. With most of us spending a significant amount of time indoors, it's crucial to understand the potential pollutants in our indoor environment. Here are the ten worst indoor pollutants you should know about, how they affect your health, and practical tips to reduce exposure.