Indoor air quality (IAQ) was a significant concern for building automation professionals, facility managers and other professionals during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some may not realize the worries surrounding it are as important as ever and likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future.
People’s worries are particularly well-founded if they must work in environments with dirty air for hours and have little or no control over improving the surroundings. Fortunately, work is ongoing to highlight the downsides of poor IAQ and develop technologies to improve the matter.
Most Adult Workers Have Air Quality Concerns
A 2024 poll of adults from numerous countries who work inside at least one day a week found significant room for improvement in IAQ. When asked to describe their workplace air quality, only 35% characterized it as “very clean.” Even though 52% of respondents in the United States said that — the highest percentage among all participating nations — many still said their workplace IAQ was below standard.
Additionally, 90% of the respondents considered clean air essential for doing their best work. Another finding was that 64% of U.S. workers and about one-third of those from other countries would consider leaving their employers due to air quality concerns. Most also signaled that IAQ must be a priority, with 92% of those polled believing clean air should be an employee right.
Many industrial leaders use products such as mist separators to filter process air. This extends equipment life and saves energy, but people do not always have an IAQ commitment at their workplaces. Although regulations require some to take protective measures while working around harsh chemicals, the general assumption is that indoor air in settings such as offices is clean enough without taking specific improvement measures.
Outdoor Pollution Can Adversely Affect IAQ
Many people living in heavily polluted areas receive advice to stay indoors. That practical tip can reduce threats but not eliminate them. A team published 2024 research about near-roadway air pollution. In addition to vehicles producing emissions while operating, wear from their tires and brakes can release fine particulate matter into the air.
The group found that outdoor pollution causes about 30%-90% of indoor pollutant concentrations. The range is broad because researchers clarified that the extent of the problem varies according to the time of day, pollutant type, and characteristics of the natural and built environments.
However, even if the percentage is on the lower end of the range, it is still concerning, especially since the group’s data linked near-roadway air pollution to numerous health issues and all-cause mortality risks.
Facility managers should consider linking a building automation system to IAQ sensors that would activate advanced air filtration systems when pollution levels get too high.
Research from elsewhere linked household and ambient air to 6.7 million annual deaths, proving there is a genuine threat to address.
Advancements in IAQ Improvements
The scientists who have devoted their lives to studying indoor air quality know that pollution brings many inherent dangers. Their hard work has paid off through creative and innovative solutions.
Repurposing Batteries to Clean the Air
A Binghamton University team recognized that indoor air quality is a problem, but many solutions to enhance it are less than ideal. They may be expensive, cumbersome or require frequent maintenance to maintain optimum performance. These researchers repurposed their previous work on bacteria-powered batteries to tackle the air quality issue.
They created artificial plants that reduce indoor carbon dioxide levels by 90% while using light to achieve photosynthesis. Considering that natural plants only purify the air by taking carbon dioxide levels down by about 10%, the researchers’ work is notable. This approach is also advantageous because it generates power, giving people numerous reasons to consider implementing it.
Designing Ultrasensitive Formaldehyde Sensors
In another recent example, a team altered the shape of holes in aerogels to build sensors that could detect formaldehyde more effectively than current commercially available options. This is a common volatile organic compound in many indoor products, such as paints, wallpapers and specific synthetic fabrics.
These low-power sensors work at room temperature to detect formaldehyde when concentrations are as low as eight parts per billion. The researchers also improved selectivity with machine learning sensors that could differentiate between formaldehyde and other VOCs. However, the group said they could adapt them to warn users when the concentrations of other indoor pollutants are too high.
Giving Residents More Insights Into IAQ
Many people assume indoor air quality is largely outside their control. However, decisions such as which method to use when cooking dinner or whether to burn a candle could all impact IAQ levels. Some Utah residents participated in a university study, receiving sensors to measure indoor fine particulate matter concentrations.
Some household members were shocked to see how quickly pollutant levels climbed when they cooked bacon or sauteed kale. Levels also spiked when someone kept fish in the oven too long and burned it. The more people learn about the connections between these seemingly meaningless events and IAQ, the faster they can make meaningful lifestyle changes to improve the air they breathe indoors. Similar findings could also be useful for office building managers.
IAQ Remains Important
Professionals involved in building automation and management must continue to take indoor air quality seriously. Although some new strategies here may help once they become commercially available, people should investigate how their existing building management systems could prioritize clean air the way they want and deserve.
