Indoor Air Quality in Buildings: Why it Matters and How to Improve It

As humans, we spend the majority of our time indoors, whether it's at home, work, or school. However, many of us do not consider the quality of the air we breathe inside these buildings. Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of the air within a building and how it affects the health and comfort of its occupants. In this blog post, we will discuss why IAQ matters, how it impacts our health, and ways to improve it, including how architects can design buildings to have better indoor air quality.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

Indoor air quality is crucial to our health because it can have both short-term and long-term effects. Poor IAQ can cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and respiratory issues. In the long run, it can lead to chronic diseases such as asthma and lung cancer. Moreover, poor IAQ can also affect our productivity and cognitive function, as studies have shown that individuals exposed to higher levels of pollutants perform worse on cognitive tasks.

Factors that Impact Indoor Air Quality

1. Building materials: Certain building materials can release harmful chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can negatively impact IAQ.

2. Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential for good IAQ, as it helps to remove pollutants and bring in fresh air.

3. Humidity: High levels of humidity can create a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, which can also impact IAQ.

4. Cleaning products: Many cleaning products contain chemicals that can contribute to poor IAQ.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

There are many ways to improve IAQ in buildings, including:

1. Ventilation: Ensure that the building has proper ventilation systems that bring in fresh air and remove pollutants.

2. Air cleaning: Air cleaning systems, such as air filters and air purifiers, can help to remove pollutants from the air.

3. Source control: Avoid using building materials and cleaning products that contain harmful chemicals.

4. Humidity control: Keep indoor humidity levels below 60% to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

Designing Buildings for Better Indoor Air Quality

Architects can also play a crucial role in improving IAQ by designing buildings with better indoor air quality in mind. Here are some ways architects can do this:

1. Use low-emitting building materials: Architects can choose building materials that emit fewer VOCs.

2. Incorporate natural ventilation: Natural ventilation can help to bring in fresh air and reduce the reliance on mechanical ventilation systems.

3. Use greenery: Incorporating greenery inside and outside the building can help to improve IAQ by removing pollutants and adding oxygen to the air.

4. Design for occupant control: Architects can design buildings with occupant control in mind, allowing occupants to adjust temperature, humidity, and ventilation settings to their preferences.

Conclusion

Indoor air quality is an essential aspect of building design and has a significant impact on the health and well-being of building occupants. Architects and building owners can take steps to improve IAQ, including proper ventilation, source control, and air cleaning. By considering IAQ in building design, architects can help to create healthier, more comfortable, and more productive indoor environments.

More to read:

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality

https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/bookstore/indoor-air-quality-guide

https://publichealthinsider.com/2022/06/03/ways-to-improve-indoor-air-quality-at-home/