Introduction to IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)

Have you ever walked into a room and felt something was… off? It might not be the decor or the lighting.

Let’s talk about something that affects us all but often goes unnoticed: Indoor Air Quality, or IAQ for short.

Definition of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ):

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as the quality of air in and around buildings and what the impact of it is on the health and comfort of people occupying these spaces. 

It is a well known fact that outdoor air pollution is very harmful to human health. 

However, the likely health effects of indoor air pollution (IAQ) has received less attention. 

This article describes the sources of indoor air pollution and provides evidence of its effects on human health.

What is considered good indoor air quality (IAQ)?

Good Indoor Air Quality is characterised by a number of factors;

• Low levels of pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon monoxide (CO), radon, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and other harmful substances.
• Minimal levels of indoor allergens like dust mites and pollen.
• It relates to the ventilation of an indoor space i.e. the adequate supply of fresh outdoor air into an indoor space.
• Optimal humidity levels are also a key factor in good indoor air quality. A good range of humidity is 30-50%. It’s at this range that the growth of mould, dust mites and other allergens is less likely to grow and the risk of respiratory issues is significantly reduced. 
• Maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature, typically between 20 and 22 degrees celsius. 
• Low Levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) which indicate the room is well ventilated. 
• The absence of persistent bad odours, from mould, chemicals, or stale air also all indicate good indoor air quality.

Immediate Health Effects:

• Experiencing stinging eyes or a scratchy throat after spending a day indoors could be attributed to poor indoor air quality (IAQ).
• Unexplained headaches or episodes of dizziness may also result from the air you are breathing.
• Persistent fatigue could be influenced by IAQ.

Long term Health effects:

• Prolonged exposure to indoor air pollutants such as carbon monoxide can lead to increased risks of heart attacks and strokes.
• Poor IAQ can cause chronic inflammation of the cardiovascular system, causing hardening of arteries  aka atherosclerosis
• Long-term exposure to pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can result in raised blood pressure levels, which is a significant risk factor for heart disease.

Image Source: Public Health England

Long-term Economic Impact:

The World Green Building Council estimates that poor air quality can decrease productivity in UK workplaces by up to 11% due to indoor pollutants. 

A report from the British Safety Council says that air pollution in the UK leads to over 6 million sick days each year, directly impacting workforce productivity and costing businesses millions in lost productivity.

The UK Government’s Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) additionally reports on this stat saying that poor air quality contributes to increased absenteeism due to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that the economic cost of air pollution-related health issues, including reduced productivity, is actually around £20 billion every year!

What is causing poor indoor air quality (IAQ)? 

The different types of air pollutants found indoors are outlined in the table published by the UK Parliament.

Conclusion:

As a population we spend a significant amount of time indoors, and it is important to ensure that the air we breathe is not affecting our health. 

The next time you take a deep breath inside, consider what you might be inhaling. 

As we have now discovered, invisible pollutants can have significant effects on your health. 

Are you ready to become an IAQ advocate? The planet, your people and your profits will thank you for it!

We Need to Keep the Conversation Going!

In general, the issue of indoor air pollution has been largely overshadowed by the attention focused on outdoor air pollution mainly from industrial and transport emissions. There is a need for more information about levels of exposure to indoor air pollutants, which can be achieved through monitoring, as well as the risks posed by long-term exposure to poor air quality.

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Let’s clear the air, one share at a time!