Experts call for mandatory indoor air quality standards to boost health and economy

There should be mandatory indoor air quality standards, say international experts

An international group of experts, led by Professor Lidia Morawska, is calling for mandatory indoor air quality standards. Professor Morawska, Vice-Chancellor Fellow at the University of Surrey and Distinguished Professor at Queensland University of Technology, previously appealed to the World Health Organization to recognize the airborne transmission of the COVID-19 virus early in the pandemic. Now, in a paper published by the prestigious journal Science, Professor Morawska’s team recommends setting standards for ventilation rate and three key indoor pollutants: carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and PM2.5 particles.

Addressing the Lack of Indoor Air Quality Standards

According to Professor Morawska, most countries do not have legislated indoor air quality performance standards for public spaces that address concentration levels of indoor air pollutants. To be effective, indoor air quality standards must be implementable by designing new buildings that meet the standards or retrofitting existing buildings. Although there may be short-term costs, the long-term social and economic benefits to public health, wellbeing, and productivity are expected to outweigh the investment in achieving clean indoor air.

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

People living in urban and industrialized societies spend more than 90% of their time indoors, yet there are few controls over the quality of the air they breathe. Professor Prashant Kumar, co-author of the paper and Director of the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), emphasizes the need to manage indoor air quality despite its complexity. The team proposes solutions using readily available, inexpensive monitors and focuses on three indicator pollutants: CO2, which can serve as a proxy for occupant-emitted contaminants and pathogens, as well as being useful for assessing ventilation quality.

“By limiting levels of CO2 indoors, we can reduce the spread of diseases spread by respiratory pathogens, like COVID-19, colds, and flu.”

– Professor Catherine Noakes, Professor of Environmental Engineering for Buildings, University of Leeds

Contributing to Sustainable Development Goals

The research on indoor air quality standards in public buildings aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, it contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article discusses the need for mandatory indoor air quality standards to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 and improve public health. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Additionally, the article highlights the importance of setting standards for ventilation and indoor pollutants, which relates to SDG 11’s objective of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

The article emphasizes the need for indoor air quality standards to reduce the concentration levels of indoor air pollutants, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and PM2.5 particles. By implementing these standards, it aims to address the health risks associated with poor indoor air quality, aligning with SDG 3.9. Furthermore, improving indoor air quality in public buildings contributes to creating sustainable cities and communities by reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, particularly in terms of air quality.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Concentration levels of carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Concentration levels of carbon monoxide (CO)
• Concentration levels of PM2.5 particles

The article suggests using concentration levels of CO2 as a proxy for occupant-emitted contaminants and pathogens, as well as assessing ventilation quality. By monitoring and limiting indoor CO2 levels, the spread of respiratory pathogens like COVID-19, colds, and flu can be reduced. Therefore, measuring and managing CO2 levels can serve as an indicator of progress towards the identified targets. Additionally, controlling and monitoring the concentration levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and PM2.5 particles are also essential indicators for measuring improvements in indoor air quality.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: news-medical.net

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