ASHRAE’s position paper is a significant document that reflects the organisation’s commitment to addressing the impact of HVAC-related technologies on human exposure to airborne contaminants.

The evolution of this field, especially in terms of low-cost air quality sensors and continuous monitoring, is shaping what we now call "healthy buildings." A significant player in this space is RESET, a set of standards that has emerged as a benchmark for air quality devices in real estate.

As air quality becomes an increasingly critical issue, especially in the context of housing, I'm excited to announce the launch of a new course explicitly tailored for non-ventilation and air quality professionals in the housing sector. This course is designed to demystify air quality and ventilation concepts, providing stakeholders with the tools and language they need to drive better outcomes in their projects.

This transition has been driven by the increasing recognition of "sick building syndrome" and other IAQ-related health issues. In these scenarios, occupational hygienists are uniquely positioned to diagnose and address complex problems that often have multiple contributing factors.

Epidemiology is the study of diseases in a geographical area and over time, focusing on understanding the determinants of diseases, which can be genetic or environmental. This science is crucial for environmental health as it helps identify the causes of diseases, whether they stem from occupational, domestic, or environmental exposures. Unlike toxicology, which involves controlled experiments, epidemiology studies real-life scenarios, making it complex yet essential for understanding human health impacts.

I spoke with Iain Walker, a prominent figure in the field of residential buildings and air quality. Iain, who leads the residential buildings team at Lawrence Berkeley National Labs and holds numerous prestigious positions in various technical committees, shared his extensive knowledge on air quality, particularly focusing on the role of cooker hoods in improving indoor environments.

Iyad emphasised the need to change our relationship with the environment and our approach to urban development. He believes that air quality should not be an afterthought but a fundamental pillar in planning and managing urban spaces. Urbanisation should not lead to people clustering in polluted cities; instead, air quality must be considered from the outset to ensure health and well-being.

A geographer and entrepreneur specialising in indoor air quality and environmental justice. Douglas, a lecturer at the University of Leeds and UKRI Regional Clean Air Champion shares insights into the intersection of air quality and justice, emphasising the importance of distribution, knowledge, policy, recognition, and capabilities.

When Sotirios began his journey in air quality awareness, public knowledge was minimal. Growing up in Greece, discussions about air pollution primarily focused on its effects on ancient marble structures rather than human health. It wasn’t until around 2010 that he realised the need for a better understanding of air pollution’s impact on health.

The advent of low-cost sensors in 2016 made air quality monitoring more accessible, leading to increased public interest. The COVID-19 pandemic further heightened awareness, linking air quality to health through the lens of aerosol transmission.

This week, we deviated from our usual format to host a special discussion on the pressing issue of indoor air quality in the UK. With a political change imminent, we gathered insights from a distinguished panel organised by Policy Connect.

I had the pleasure of talking with Charles Weschler, a distinguished expert in indoor air chemistry. Charles’s impressive career spans decades, starting with his PhD in chemistry from the University of Chicago

Remote and hybrid working, once a rare privilege, has become a staple in the modern work environment. Nearly half (49%) of desk workers now split their time between home and office, with 17% working fully remotely. This translates to approximately 900 million people globally who are spending significant portions of their day in home workspaces.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Achim Haug and Anika Krause, two innovators in the air quality monitoring industry. Achim, a former Siemens executive with over two decades of experience, now resides in Thailand, where he founded AirGradient, a company dedicated to revolutionising air quality monitoring with an open-source approach.

Chris Rush is a Director and air quality consultant lead at Hoare Lea , an award-winning, multi-discipline engineering consultancy with a creative team of engineers, designers, and technical specialists.

With over two decades of experience in the built environment, he brings a wealth of knowledge from his global endeavours in sales within the property technology sector, including utilisation, occupancy detection, and indoor air quality monitoring.

Our discussion delved into the transformative role of actionable insights in the housing sector. Tom articulated a shift from the traditional data-centric approach to a more holistic understanding of what truly constitutes actionable insights. It's not just about collecting data but creating a meaningful narrative that organizations can act upon to make significant improvements.

Richard discussed his role in chairing a The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee that produced a comprehensive report on health risks associated with indoor exposure to fine particulate matter and offered practical mitigation solutions.

In the latest episode of "Air Quality Matters," we delve into the significance of indoor air quality, an often overlooked aspect of public health. This discussion was sparked by a pivotal article in Science authored by over 40 international experts, including guests from our podcast.

In the realm of user experience (UX), understanding the nuanced dynamics of various industries, particularly the built environment, can significantly shape sustainable practices. Recently, on the podcast, I had the opportunity to discuss these themes with Dan Hyde, a seasoned UX strategist and a voice in sustainability.

The recent residential retrofit standard issued by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors RICS underscores a pivotal aspect of home retrofitting that often goes unnoticed but is crucial for both the building's performance and the occupants' health: ventilation.