Air quality is having a moment right now: the pandemic brought airborne viral transmission issues to the forefront and the recent wildfires have continued to elevate the general public’s awareness of the health impacts of poor air quality.
There is a lot of information available and it can get overwhelming, so we wanted to provide some context, give an overview of the key strategies, and share resources.
First, some context. Indoor air quality is of critical importance because on average, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, where concentrations of pollutants are often two to five times higher than outdoors (and for some, as much as ten times higher). Yet, indoor air quality is almost completely unregulated. This seems counter-intuitive, especially since the latest research demonstrates that small improvements in air quality can dramatically improve cognitive function - critical for those trying to focus while working from home.
Second, we find it helpful to break the relevant strategies to improve air quality down into three aspects, and in this hierarchy.
Control pollution sources
Improve ventilation
Utilize filtration
A few quick points about each of these strategies:
Control pollution sources - one of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality is to reduce or eliminate the amount of pollutants introduced into indoor spaces. For example, be mindful of the contents of cleaning products, anything with a “fragrance,” and furnishings or other household products that off-gas harmful chemicals, such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Improve ventilation - when safe, open windows to dilute the concentration of indoor pollutants. This strategy obviously assumes that outdoor air is “safe,” so consult resources like AirNow.gov before implementing this strategy, and follow EPA guidance with respect to outdoor air quality.
Utilize filtration - there are many products designed to filter indoor air. At a high level, look for those with both a particulate filter (we generally encourage HEPA) and an activated carbon or other absorbent filter designed to remove gases (including VOCs). Other aspects to note include the importance of replacing filters as recommended by the manufacturer, avoiding products that intentionally produce or emit ozone, and making sure the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is appropriate for the room(s) where the unit will be used.
Finally, if you need more information, consider consulting resources from the EPA and Harvard’s School of Public Health.
This information has been in such high demand that we developed a comprehensive training on how to support health and wellness within indoor environments. We explain the latest research and demonstrate the “why” behind comprehensive strategies that anyone can implement. If you, your team or your business are interested in booking a training, contact us.
If you prefer information in visual form or are looking for quick lessons on sustainability, healthier buildings, and related topics, check out our YouTube channel. Below is one example of the short, yet informative videos you can find on our channel.