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Lidia Morawska's  paper provides a pragmatic framework for using low-cost PM2.5 sensors in regulatory indoor air quality monitoring, solving the longstanding problem of affordable compliance without sacrificing accuracy. This clever calibration system transforms inexpensive sensors into reliable monitoring networks by using yearly reference calibrations of key sensors and applying correction factors across similar devices.

• Low-cost sensors have revolutionized air quality monitoring but face accuracy challenges with PM2.5 measurement
• Traditional reference monitors are too expensive and complex for widespread indoor deployment
• Morawska's framework uses a network approach with designated reference sensors
• Annual calibration of key sensors against reference instruments provides correction factors for the entire network
• The system could include a central database of correction factors to prevent duplication of effort
• This approach enables dynamic ventilation control based on reliable PM2.5 measurements
• The framework moves us from "guessing and hoping" to "measuring and knowing"
• Implementation would provide accountability and evidence for meeting health-based building standards

Application of PM2.5 low-cost sensors for indoor
air quality compliance monitoring

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Microbiologist Vinod Kumar Sikar shares his journey of bridging the gap between microbiology and engineering to improve indoor air quality, particularly in healthcare settings throughout India. He explains how the Healthy Buildings Conference coming to Hyderabad this August will foster multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge-sharing essential for solving complex indoor environmental challenges.

• Fine dust particles in India serve as vehicles for microorganisms, particularly fungal spores, creating unique indoor air quality challenges
• Western building standards cannot be directly applied to Indian conditions due to different climatic zones, building construction methods, and microbial ecology
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for multidisciplinary collaboration between engineers, medical professionals, and scientists
• Decontamination through methods like hydrogen peroxide is often more effective than filtration alone, as filters can accumulate living microorganisms
• The ISIAC Healthy Buildings 2025 Conference in Hyderabad will feature oral presentations, workshops, keynote speakers, and special sessions for students
• An Indian chapter of ISIAC will be launched during the conference to continue building networks and sharing knowledge after the event
• India's healthcare sector is growing rapidly with over 55,000 hospitals, creating significant demand for indoor air quality expertise

Register for the ISIAC Healthy Buildings Conference 2025 in Hyderabad, India (August 18-22) at healthybuildings2025.org before July 31st to secure your spot at this landmark event bringing together global and local experts in indoor environmental quality.

Vinod Kumar Sekar LinkedIn

Healthy Buildings 2025 

Air Indoor Assessment Pvt Ltd

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Can you trust those affordable radon detectors? Do you really need to wait a whole year to know if your home has dangerous radon levels?

The latest episode of Air Quality Matters tackles these critical questions through a deep dive into groundbreaking research by Joan F. Ray and colleagues. Their paper, "Performance Evaluation of Radon Measurement Techniques in Single-Family Homes," challenges conventional wisdom about radon testing and brings encouraging news for homeowners everywhere.

We explore how this invisible, odorless radioactive gas poses serious health risks as the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, yet detecting it has traditionally been a slow, expensive process. The study's real-world field testing across 20 Swiss homes reveals two game-changing findings: first, three-month winter measurements correlate remarkably well with full-year averages, potentially eliminating the need for year-long testing periods; second, affordable consumer-grade electronic monitors, while less precise than professional equipment, still perform adequately for their intended purpose.

This democratisation of radon detection puts powerful health monitoring capabilities directly into homeowners' hands without breaking the bank. The research provides a pragmatic path forward, expanding our toolkit beyond rigid protocols to smarter, faster ways of ensuring our living spaces are safe. From my personal experience using both traditional and electronic monitoring methods, I can affirm that consumer-grade products work effectively when used properly – focusing on monthly rather than daily averages to account for radon's fluctuations.

Performance evaluation of radon measurement techniques in
single-family homes

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"The lungs of our buildings are failing us." These sobering words from ventilation expert Nathan Wood capture the essence of a critical conversation about the silent crisis happening behind our walls. 

After inspecting countless ventilation systems across the UK, Nathan reveals the disturbing reality that approximately 75% of residential ventilation systems are fundamentally failing to perform as designed, not just minor issues, but catastrophic failures that compromise health and safety.

Unlike plumbing leaks that create visible puddles or electrical faults that trip breakers, ventilation failures operate invisibly, silently harming occupants over years or decades. While regulations and standards continue to evolve, the practical reality on the ground shows an industry plagued by poor installation practices, inadequate maintenance, and a profound lack of accountability. 

From flexible ducting crushed beyond functionality to fans venting into wall cavities rather than outside, these aren't isolated incidents but systemic failures documented daily.

The conversation explores why this crisis persists despite the solutions being relatively straightforward. A perfect storm of factors contributes: no established pathway to competency for installers, housing organisations without dedicated ventilation maintenance budgets, manufacturers focused on product sales rather than performance outcomes, and consumers who don't know what questions to ask. The experts propose practical solutions, including outcome-based specifications, proper training pathways, manufacturer accountability for installation quality, and reframing ventilation as a "safety critical aspect" of building performance.

Nathan Wood LinkedIn 

Farmwood 

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What makes someone download an air quality monitoring app and actually keep using it? The answer might surprise you. 

In this eye-opening exploration of a fascinating study from Indonesia, we dive deep into the psychology behind environmental technology adoption. The research, published in the International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, reveals that enjoyment—not usefulness—is the single most powerful driver of air quality app usage. 

Examining responses from over 370 users, researchers discovered that creating an engaging, even fun experience trumps both functionality and ease of use. Meanwhile, a person's general attitude toward technology (their "technology readiness") dramatically impacts whether they'll embrace these potentially life-saving tools. Someone who's naturally tech-optimistic approaches these apps completely differently than someone who's privacy-concerned or technology-hesitant.

The implications are profound for developers, public health officials, and anyone working in environmental technology. The study shows that no matter how accurate your air quality data might be, if the experience isn't engaging, users simply won't stick around. It's a powerful reminder that even with the most serious health and environmental technologies, the human elements—enjoyment, habit, and emotion—often determine success or failure.

Has your experience with environmental apps matched these findings? Try paying attention to which apps you actually use regularly versus those that sit forgotten on your phone, and you might discover your own patterns that confirm this research.

Understanding Behavioral Intention to Use of Air
Quality Monitoring Solutions with Emphasis on
Technology Readiness

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What really happens in a child's body during a severe asthma attack? Dr. Abigail Whitehouse, pediatric respiratory consultant, takes us on a sobering journey through the physiology of asthma, beginning with a paramedic's memory of a late-night emergency.

The conversation reveals the hidden mechanisms of respiratory distress—airways becoming increasingly constricted as immune cells flood lung tissues, creating a life-threatening situation where medication becomes ineffective and oxygen levels plummet. We learn that asthma development involves a complex interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental triggers that "switch" the immune system's response.

Dr. Whitehouse shares insights from her environmental health clinic, where she's pioneering approaches that look beyond medication to address the root causes of respiratory illness. The discussion uncovers disturbing connections between air pollution, poor housing conditions, and asthma mortality rates, revealing how social inequalities create disproportionate health burdens.

Most powerfully, she challenges the acceptance of ongoing symptoms, emphasising that proper asthma management should aim for complete symptom elimination. For parents, healthcare providers, and anyone concerned about respiratory health, this episode offers critical knowledge about warning signs, proper inhaler use, and the environmental factors that could mean the difference between life and death during an asthma emergency.

Abigail Whitehouse - Linkedin

Abigail Whitehouse

Asthma & Lung UK 

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Gabriel Rojas and colleagues' comprehensive review examines indoor air quality in over 600 Passive Houses, revealing that properly-designed mechanical ventilation systems generally outperform conventional housing for background pollutants like CO2, VOCs and radon. Quality control makes a dramatic difference - a UK study found 100% of certified Passive Houses met required airflows while only 47% of non-certified MVHR homes even met basic building regulations.

• Certified Passive Houses show consistently better ventilation performance than non-certified buildings with similar technology
• Quality assurance processes are essential, not optional extras
• Cooking pollution creates a significant blind spot in Passive House design
• Recirculating cooker hoods fail to capture harmful PM2.5 particles, which remain trapped in airtight spaces
• New Passive House guidance now strongly recommends extracting cooker hoods venting outside
• Proper makeup air systems must be balanced with kitchen extraction
• Both certification rigor and comprehensive pollutant management are necessary for truly healthy homes

A review of the indoor air quality in residential Passive House dwellings

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The economic value of healthy buildings represents one of the greatest untapped frontiers in our quest for better indoor environments. While we've mastered the technical aspects of creating healthier spaces, convincing decision-makers to invest remains challenging without clear financial metrics.

Stefan Flagner, an economics researcher with a PhD spanning economics and health sciences, brings a unique perspective to this conversation. As co-author of "10 Questions Concerning the Economics of Indoor Environmental Quality in Buildings," Stefan explores how we can quantify and communicate the return on investment for healthy building initiatives. His research reveals we're at a critical juncture—similar to where energy efficiency stood two decades ago—where the business case exists but needs stronger articulation.

The discussion examines several fascinating aspects of this challenge: the split incentives between building owners and occupants, the difficulty in measuring productivity impacts across different industries, and the need for more robust field studies rather than relying solely on laboratory evidence. Stefan highlights how interdisciplinary approaches combining economics, engineering, and health sciences are essential yet surprisingly rare in research.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Stefan's focus on practical applications. Rather than targeting companies already investing in premium spaces, he emphasises reaching conservative business owners with limited capital who need hard numbers to justify investments. The path forward requires better data collection, post-occupancy evaluations, and tools that allow businesses to calculate potential returns based on their specific circumstances. 

Ready to discover how the economics of healthy buildings could transform our approach to indoor environments? This episode provides crucial insights for anyone involved in building design, management, investment, or occupational health.

Stephan Flagner - LinkedIn 

10 Questions 

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We dive into a fascinating paper that quantifies respiratory disease burden from formaldehyde, damp and mold in English housing. Using Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) as a metric, researchers reveal the hidden health costs of poor housing conditions while highlighting significant data gaps that could mean we're vastly underestimating the problem.

• Formaldehyde exposure in English homes associated with approximately 4,000 new childhood asthma cases (800 DALYs) in 2019
• Official surveys indicate 4% of English homes have significant damp/mold problems
• Damp and mold exposure linked to 5,000 new asthma cases and 8,500 respiratory infections (2,800 DALYs)
• Alternative data suggests up to 27% of homes might have damp issues, potentially making the health burden 3-8 times higher
• Clear pattern of inequality shows low-income households and ethnic minorities bear greater burden
• Research highlights urgent need for better national surveillance of indoor environments
• Paper provides a framework for understanding housing as a quantifiable public health and equity issue

The Burden of Respiratory Disease from Formaldehyde, Damp
and Mould in English Housing

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The landmark ImpAQS study examining ventilation and air quality in 1,200 Austrian schools reveals widespread failure to meet minimum standards, with at least 25% of classrooms unable to maintain acceptable CO2 levels during operational hours. 

Professor Rob McLeod discusses how this comprehensive year-long study uncovered significant disparities in ventilation effectiveness between schools, creating an "air quality lottery" for students and teachers.

• Comprehensive monitoring of CO2, temperature, and humidity across all nine Austrian federal regions throughout the 2023-2024 school year
• Matched pair study comparing 600 classrooms with visible CO2 monitors against 600 control rooms with hidden sensors
• Only 10% of Austrian schools have mechanical ventilation systems, with most relying entirely on natural ventilation
• CO2 monitors dramatically improve ventilation behaviours, with over 90% of classrooms spontaneously appointing student "ventilation champions"
• Cultural resistance and misconceptions about ventilation creating barriers to proper air exchange
• Occupant density as a critical factor, with special schools providing 3+ square meters per student achieving superior air quality
• Outdoor air pollution near schools often exceeding WHO guidelines, complicating ventilation strategies
• Need for national-level intervention rather than leaving air quality challenges to individual schools
• Disparities between schools creating educational and health inequalities that require systematic triaging of solutions

Rob McLeod - LinkedIn

ImpAQS Report

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Research reveals that a mother's exposure to air pollution during pregnancy could significantly increases her child's risk of developing asthma, suggesting that our respiratory health journey begins before we take our first breath. 

The study conducted in China tracked mothers and their children from 2015-2018, analyzing exposure to various pollutants throughout different stages of pregnancy.

• PM2.5 exposure during the second trimester is strongly linked to childhood asthma development
• PM10 exposure in the third trimester is similarly associated with increased asthma risk
• Sulfur dioxide exposure throughout pregnancy correlates with higher asthma rates
• Nitrogen dioxide shows complex effects, with first trimester exposure increasing risk
• Findings suggest preventative health measures may need to begin nine months earlier
• Results highlight the need for stronger environmental regulations to protect pregnant women
• Clean air represents a right for future generations that begins before birth

Association analysis of maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and offspring asthma incidence

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Indoor environmental quality is about more than just air quality – it encompasses everything our sensory systems experience within built environments. This knowledge provides a framework for creating healthier, more human-centered buildings.

• Indoor environmental quality encompasses thermal comfort, acoustics, lighting, vibration, odors, microbiome, and water quality
• Neuroscience can help us understand how our brains respond to environmental stressors even when we don't consciously perceive them
• The disconnect between building sciences and health sciences despite sharing a common focus on human occupants
• Building codes represent minimum standards that unfortunately become maximum efforts in profit-driven construction
• Most buildings under 20,000 square feet have no specialised environmental design input
• Designing for lifetime housing should include environmental considerations for aging and illness
• Performance measurement and accountability could drive significant improvements in building quality
• Museums carefully control environments for artefacts, while homes expose both valuables and people to harmful conditions
• Education about healthy environments could help consumers demand better spaces

Robert Bean LinkedIn

Edifice Complex Podcast

ASHRAE 

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Research establishes a direct link between classroom air quality and student attendance rates through a comprehensive study of 144 classrooms across 31 Midwestern elementary schools. The findings provide compelling evidence that improved ventilation and lower PM2.5 levels significantly reduce illness-related absences, even at pollution levels previously considered acceptable.

• For every 1 L/s/person increase in ventilation rate, classrooms experienced 5.6 fewer absence days annually
• Average school ventilation rate (5.5 L/s/person) fell below ASHRAE's recommended standard of 7 L/s/person
• Each 1 μg/m³ increase in indoor PM2.5 corresponded to over 7 additional absence days per classroom per year
• Negative health effects occurred at PM2.5 levels below previous "acceptable" thresholds (mean: 3.6 μg/m³)
• Investing in school HVAC improvements represents a direct intervention to improve student attendance and achievement
• Benefits extend beyond education to public health, academic equity, and economic advantages for families
• Improved ventilation and filtration systems build resilience against future airborne health challenges

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Associations between illness-related absences and ventilation and indoor 
PM2.5 in elementary schools of the Midwestern United States

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Imagine if you could actually see how viruses and bacteria move through the air in a building. That's exactly what Safe Traces technology allows us to do, and the implications for public health and building performance are profound. In this eye-opening conversation, CEO Eric Malmstrom reveals how his company's DNA-tagging technology is transforming our understanding of airborne infection risk.

Born from bioterrorism concerns after 9/11, Safe Traces developed surrogate challenge agents that safely simulate how pathogens behave in real-world environments. By releasing these DNA-tagged particles in buildings and tracking their movement, they can visualize infection pathways that were previously invisible. This empirical approach reveals surprising truths about our buildings: many modern facilities are dramatically overventilated (wasting energy without improving safety), while schools and older buildings often have dangerous gaps in protection that simple interventions could fix.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Malmstrom's firsthand experience deploying this technology across diverse environments—from healthcare facilities to schools, offices to prisons. The patterns he's observed challenge conventional wisdom about ventilation rates, air disinfection efficacy, and the relationship between building codes and actual health outcomes. His military background brings a unique perspective on risk management and resilience that enriches the discussion.

The most exciting revelation? We're on the cusp of a revolution in aerobiology technology, with real-time pathogen detection systems just months away from deployment. Combined with growing momentum toward mandatory indoor air quality standards, we may finally be approaching meaningful change in how we design and operate our buildings to protect public health.

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What happens when the air inside your home is slowly making you sick? For millions of people living in social housing across developing nations, this isn't a hypothetical question—it's daily reality.

A review published in Applied Sciences reveals the shocking reality about indoor air quality in social housing throughout low and middle-income countries. The numbers are staggering: PM2.5 levels reaching 1,360 micrograms per cubic meter during cooking (90 times higher than WHO guidelines), carbon monoxide peaking at 150 parts per million, and formaldehyde concentrations nearly 5 times safe limits.

Behind these statistics are real people—predominantly women and children—suffering disproportionate exposure to harmful pollutants. The culprits? A perfect storm of low-cost building materials that off-gas chemicals, inadequate ventilation, solid fuel use for cooking and heating, and overcrowded living conditions. Even when families move from slums to public housing, pollution levels often remain dangerously high.

The research points to promising solutions through bioclimatic design strategies like cross-ventilation and proper shading, but highlights a critical reality: we can't simply transplant high-income country solutions to these contexts. Effective interventions must consider regional climate differences, cultural practices around cooking and heating, and the economic realities that drive behavior.

Perhaps most importantly, this review reminds us that indoor air quality isn't merely a technical challenge—it's fundamentally about social equity and human rights. As one researcher notes, "When we talk about the right to housing, we must include the right to healthy indoor environments."

Whether you're involved in public health, architecture, international development, or simply care about global health equity, this episode offers vital insights into an overlooked crisis affecting millions worldwide. Subscribe now and join us in exploring how we can ensure that clean air at home becomes a universal right, not a privilege.

A review of indoor air quality in social housing across low and middle income countries

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What distinguishes a truly healthy building from one that simply meets minimum code requirements? In this conversation with Sarah Gudeman, Principal and Practice Lead at Branch Pattern, we explore the critical intersection where engineering expertise meets human-centered design in the pursuit of better built environments.

Sarah brings a refreshingly practical perspective to the often theoretical world of indoor air quality and sustainability. As she explains, "Code compliant is just not illegal. It's the lowest bar we can design to." This fundamental truth underscores the gap between what's legally acceptable and what's truly optimal for human health and wellbeing in our buildings.

The conversation looks into the challenges practitioners face when implementing healthy building strategies. From establishing clear guiding principles at project outset to navigating the complex dynamics of project teams, Sarah reveals how the "peopling" aspect of consulting work often proves more challenging than the technical engineering. Her insights on building psychological safety within teams highlight how admitting knowledge gaps creates space for collaborative problem-solving rather than siloed thinking.

Particularly fascinating is Sarah's discussion of the evolution in air quality monitoring, where point-in-time testing is increasingly supplemented by continuous monitoring systems. Yet this technological advance brings its own challenges: "You've got this dashboard with sensors flashing green and red at you. When do you know who to call and what kind of skill set should they have?" The question cuts to the heart of building operations, where even the most sophisticated technology requires human interpretation and action.

Whether you're a building professional seeking to elevate your approach, a facility manager trying to make sense of air quality data, or simply someone who cares about the spaces where we spend 90% of our lives, this conversation offers valuable perspective on creating environments that truly enhance human health and experience.

Sarah Gudeman - LinkedIn

Branch Pattern

Sarah Gudeman

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Ever wondered why you sometimes struggle to focus when working from home? We dive into fascinating new research that connects the invisible elements of our home environments to how well our brains function during remote work.

This episode explores groundbreaking 2024 research fromAnna s. Young and colleagues  who monitored over 200 remote workers for an entire year, tracking how their home's air quality and temperature affected their thinking abilities. The findings reveal a surprising "Goldilocks zone" for optimal brain performance – with temperatures around 23°C (73°F) proving ideal for creative thinking and cognitive speed. Too warm or too cold, and our mental performance measurably declines. We also examine how carbon dioxide levels, even when relatively low compared to crowded offices, might still subtly impact our ability to think clearly and solve problems.

The implications extend far beyond personal comfort. As remote work becomes a permanent fixture in our professional landscape, these findings challenge us to reconsider what makes a truly productive home office environment. It's not just about ergonomic furniture and fast internet – the quality of air you breathe and the temperature you sit in could be making or breaking your workday. Could simple adjustments like opening a window or tweaking your thermostat give you a cognitive edge? Listen to discover practical insights for optimizing your home workspace for better thinking, focus, and creativity. Your brain (and your productivity) will thank you!

Home indoor air quality and cognitive function over one year for people 
working remotely during COVID-19

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What if the air you breathe at work is silently shaping your performance, creativity, and health? Harvard's Dr. Joseph Allen has become the leading voice connecting building science with human potential - showing how something as simple as better ventilation can transform productivity while protecting health.

In this wide-ranging conversation, he reveals why healthy buildings remain a financial no-brainer, pointing to his research demonstrating that even small improvements translate to substantial bottom-line returns. "If you do the cost-benefit analysis, the benefits are 10x over the cost," Joe explains, sharing how forward-thinking companies leverage building performance to attract employees back to offices.

The pandemic fundamentally shifted how building air quality is perceived, elevating these decisions to C-suite conversations. Today, we're witnessing what he calls a "flight to quality", where buildings with superior air quality command premium rents while others struggle. Yet making these improvements isn't just for showcase headquarters - he demonstrates how modest investments can dramatically improve even challenging buildings.

Allen also shares fascinating insights from his research following the Los Angeles wildfires. As climate events intensify, buildings must increasingly serve as shields against environmental threats—a protection that depends entirely on our design decisions today.

This episode offers unprecedented clarity on the connection between our built environments and human flourishing. Whether you're responsible for workplace strategy, building management, or simply care about optimizing your own environment, you'll gain actionable perspectives on creating spaces where people truly thrive.

Joseph Allen - LinkedIn

Healthy Buildings Book

Joseph Allen - Harvard

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Imagine a technology that could silently work in the background, destroying harmful microbes in the air we breathe without harming us. That's the promise of Far-UVC light at 222 nanometers, and groundbreaking room-scale research just brought this closer to reality.

Hospital-acquired infections alone cost the NHS £2.7 billion annually and affect hundreds of thousands of patients. While proper ventilation remains our first defense against airborne pathogens like TB, influenza, and COVID-19, the harsh truth is that many buildings struggle to meet modern ventilation standards. Retrofitting these structures often proves prohibitively expensive or physically impossible, creating an urgent need for complementary solutions.

Far-UVC technology stands out because, unlike traditional ultraviolet light, current evidence suggests it doesn't harm human skin or eyes when used properly. This means it could potentially operate in occupied rooms—a massive advantage over conventional UV systems. The University of Leeds study demonstrated remarkable results in a hospital room-sized chamber, with bacterial reductions of up to 97.8% using five Far-UVC lamps. Most impressively, the technology showed greatest benefit in poorly ventilated spaces, exactly where alternative solutions are most needed.

The research tested various scenarios, changing ventilation rates and airflow patterns while continuously introducing aerosolized bacteria to simulate a person shedding pathogens. Even at low ventilation rates of 1.5 air changes per hour, bacteria levels dropped to barely detectable amounts with five lamps. While further research is needed to test effectiveness against viruses in real-world settings, these results paint a promising picture of Far-UVC as a powerful new tool in our infection control arsenal. Could this technology transform how we protect vulnerable spaces like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes? The evidence suggests the future looks bright—or should we say, ultraviolet.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132325002161

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What happens when a pediatrician who codes and a psychologist studying technology acceptance walk into a built environment conference? Sometimes the most illuminating perspectives come from the margins.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Olivia Swan, a pediatric infectious disease consultant and data scientist, and Dan Bowers, head of Psychology at the University of South Wales, to explore the fascinating intersection of human behaviour, health, and our built spaces.

Livvy shares how her frustration with seeing the same children repeatedly hospitalised with respiratory issues from cold, damp homes drove her to harness data science to find solutions. "Preschool children are like canaries in the coal mine," she explains, with their rapid breathing rates making them particularly vulnerable to poor indoor air quality. These early exposures can set children up for lifelong respiratory problems, yet medical training rarely focuses on housing as a critical health factor.

Meanwhile, Dan reveals fascinating insights from his research on technology acceptance in social housing. What happens when new ventilation or heating systems are installed without adequate tenant engagement? The psychological dynamics of adoption become crucial, especially when residents lack agency in the decision-making process. "It's not just what the technology does," Bowers explains, "but what your neighbours and community think about it that drives acceptance."

The conversation tackles a perplexing question: why doesn't indoor air quality receive the same attention as other comparable health risks like smoking, despite causing similar harm? The invisible nature of air pollution creates a psychological blind spot, especially when many sources of indoor pollutants (cooking, candles, cleaning products) are associated with positive experiences.

This episode illuminates how truly interdisciplinary approaches might finally move the needle on these complex challenges. Whether you're a healthcare professional, work in housing, or simply care about creating healthier living environments, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on putting humans at the centre of the built environment.

Olivia Swann - LinkedIn
Dan Bowers - LinkedIn

Homes, Heat and Healthy Kids Study

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We explore a paper examining the future of residential air quality and its environmental justice implications. This research highlights how poor indoor air quality disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities, creating a "triple jeopardy" of higher exposure, greater health burdens, and limited resources to address the problem.

• Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air, with pollutants coming from building materials, cleaning products, cooking, and outdoor air infiltration
• We spend 90% of our time indoors, with 70% in our homes, making residential air quality crucial to our overall health
• The environmental justice framework examines who is exposed to pollution and why through five dimensions: distributive, procedural, recognition, capabilities, and epistemic justice
• Social inequalities lead to uneven exposure to poor indoor air quality, with lower socioeconomic groups often facing greater health risks
• Climate change will worsen indoor air quality through higher temperatures, humidity, and changing outdoor pollution patterns
• Net zero policies create tensions between energy efficiency and adequate ventilation for healthy indoor environments
• New technologies like air purifiers may create further inequalities if not accessible to all communities

Clean indoor air for everyone is both a technical and social challenge that requires bringing together researchers, policymakers, and communities to develop equitable solutions. See you next week.

Paper

Lead Author - D Booker

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Have you ever wondered what's really happening in the air around us? In this captivating conversation with Professor John Wenger of University College Cork, we dive into the hidden chemistry that shapes our atmosphere and affects our health in ways most of us never consider.

At the heart of our discussion is the fascinating world of hydroxyl radicals – nature's invisible cleaning crew that exists at just one part per trillion in our air yet drives fundamental atmospheric reactions. These tiny, highly reactive molecules transform pollutants, create ozone, and even influence cloud formation that affects our climate. Professor Wenger shares insights from the groundbreaking EU-funded Radical Project, which developed innovative sensors to detect these previously unmeasurable atmospheric components.

The conversation shifts to real-world air pollution challenges across Ireland, where Professor Wenger's research identified how solid fuel burning creates dangerous particulate pollution spikes during winter evenings. We explore how valleys like Enniscorthy can experience pollution levels rivaling those in heavily polluted global cities, though these spikes typically last just a few hours each evening. The good news? Low-cost sensor networks are revolutionizing our ability to identify these pollution patterns and empower communities with information.

Perhaps most compelling is our discussion about the pandemic's lessons regarding indoor air quality and the ethical questions it raises. Professor Wenger reflects on how vulnerable populations continue to face accessibility challenges in public spaces due to air quality concerns, drawing parallels to other accessibility rights issues. The episode highlights how understanding air chemistry isn't just academic – it directly impacts public health policy, building design, and even questions of social justice.

Whether you're interested in environmental science, public health, or simply curious about what's in the air you breathe, this conversation offers accessible insights into complex chemistry that affects us all. Subscribe to Air Quality Matters for more discussions that bridge scientific understanding with practical solutions for healthier environments.

John Wenger LinkedIn 

Radical Project 

John Wenger UCC

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What drives someone to spend two decades studying the air we breathe indoors? In this conversation, I sit down with Asit Kumar Mishra, a research fellow at University College Cork, to explore the fascinating world behind the research that shapes our built environments.

Asit takes us on a journey from his early days as a mechanical engineering student in India to becoming an internationally recognized researcher in building ventilation, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. Rather than focusing solely on research outcomes, this conversation delves into the process itself – the challenges, motivations, and profound satisfaction that comes from answering questions that directly impact people's health and wellbeing.

"Most of the days, probably 60-80% of the days will not end up as you expected," Asit reveals, highlighting the persistence required in scientific inquiry. Yet it's the human connection that keeps him coming back – whether explaining to worried parents how to protect vulnerable family members during a pandemic or discovering through conversations with schoolchildren that unexplained sensor readings were caused by dancing in the classroom.

The discussion shifts between practical research methods and philosophical reflections on knowledge communication. Asit, who describes himself as naturally introverted, finds unexpected joy in public engagement: "If I cannot explain it to an eight-year-old, then maybe I don't understand it well enough myself." This commitment to clarity resonates throughout his work, especially in his current project, developing classroom designs that can adapt to public health challenges without requiring school closures.

For anyone curious about how research shapes the spaces we inhabit, this episode offers rare insights into both the scientific process and the passionate individuals driving it forward. Tune in to gain a deeper appreciation for the intersection of engineering, public health, and the built environment that affects us all every day.

Asit Kumar Mishra LinkedIn

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The curious mind can transform an industry—and that's exactly what Rosie Wills has accomplished at Mid Devon Housing. Her journey from accidental investigator to sector-recognized expert offers a masterclass in how systematic curiosity can revolutionize approaches to persistent housing problems.

Starting with a simple desire to reduce tenant wait times for technical inspections, Rosie uncovered that damp and mold constituted the largest category of these inspections. Rather than accepting conventional wisdom, she developed data-driven systems that transformed response times from six weeks to just two. But she didn't stop there—she kept pulling threads, analyzing patterns, and challenging assumptions about how housing providers should approach these issues.

What emerges in this conversation is a refreshingly honest look at housing maintenance that puts tenants at the center while embracing technological innovation. Rosie shares how environmental monitoring sensors revealed hidden patterns in homes, allowing for targeted interventions rather than generic advice. She explains the value of keeping cases open for 12-18 months through full seasonal cycles, prioritizing actual resolution over administrative neatness. Most importantly, she demonstrates how technical expertise and human connection must work in tandem—spending an hour with a tenant during inspection might seem inefficient initially, but pays dividends in long-term success.

As the sector prepares for the implementation of Awaab's Law following a tragic death from housing conditions, Rosie's perspective on balancing compliance with genuine care couldn't be more timely. Her willingness to share her journey openly has created ripples throughout the housing community, demonstrating that expertise often grows not from formal qualifications but from persistent curiosity and a willingness to learn publicly.

Whether you work in housing, property management, or simply care about improving living conditions, this episode offers invaluable insights on using data to solve complex problems while never losing sight of the humans at the heart of it all. Subscribe now and join our growing community of curious professionals dedicated to making built environments healthier for everyone.

Rosie Wills - LinkedIn

Awaabs Law

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Carl Zimmer, columnist for the New York Times and acclaimed science writer, discusses his new book "Airborne" which explores the fascinating yet troubling history of how we understand disease transmission through air.

• Pandemic debates about COVID transmission revealed historical patterns of resistance to airborne disease theories
• William and Mildred Wells discovered in the 1930s-40s that diseases float in air droplets for hours but were largely forgotten by history
• The Wellses demonstrated UV light could effectively disinfect air and prevent disease transmission in classrooms
• Fred Meyer, who coined "aerobiology," pioneered research collecting microbes from airplanes and stratospheric balloons in the 1930s
• After WWII, much aerobiology research was classified and redirected into biological weapons programs
• Despite COVID raising awareness, momentum for improving indoor air quality standards is already fading
• Historical documents of scientific work are increasingly vulnerable as government webpages disappear or change
• Psychological barriers may explain our reluctance to accept that air can transmit disease

Carl Zimmer LinkedIn

Carl Zimmer 

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All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.