Indoor air quality (IAQ) is fundamental to our health.
While much attention has rightly been paid to highlighting and improving air pollution outdoors, we often overlook the fact that people on average spend 93% of their time indoors.
Ventilation is critical to removing harmful pollutants that can be found in the air of an indoor environment, which can contain up to 900 chemicals, particles and biological materials with potential detrimental health effects.
And the COVID-19 crisis has shone an even brighter spotlight on the importance of well-ventilated buildings. As the pandemic has progressed, we have learned a great deal about how and where the virus transmits most effectively – poorly ventilated, crowded indoor settings being the most conducive environment for it to spread.
This white paper examines the problem of indoor air pollution, why we need to take it seriously, and how ventilation can provide a smart answer that does not compromise other important building qualities such as insulation and carbon efficiency.
Contents:
- The air we breathe
- Sick building syndrome
- IAQ – the main factors
- Steps to improve IAQ
- How to enhance ventilation
- Ventilation and the road to carbon neutrality
- An insulation vs. ventilation dilemma?
