Rewinding to 2019 to recall the highlights of the year. What is the first thing that comes to your mind? Infections? A rising death toll? Well, let bygones be bygones. But one thing is clear: we all understood the utmost importance of indoor air quality the hard way.
The pandemic altered how people and businesses perceived indoor air quality. Previously, indoor air quality was often a secondary consideration. However, the global health crisis shed light on airborne transmission and how poor air quality in indoor environments exacerbates the transmission of infections.
The blog post examines the evolution of indoor air quality in the post-pandemic era and the ongoing challenges facilities continue to face.
Why Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has become a Global Problem
Indoor air quality has become a global challenge. Whether you live in an urban or rural setting, declining air quality levels have become a nuisance with each passing day. Several factors influence indoor air quality (IAQ), with our daily activities being the most significant contributors to this quality.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), even modern infrastructure with energy-efficiency systems is at risk of low air quality levels. The report further notes that well-insulated buildings often encounter this issue due to limited ventilation capacity. Routine activities such as cooking, heating, disinfecting, cleaning, and smoking release particles that accumulate in an indoor space and affect its quality.
Moreover, people often step outside only to travel to other spaces, thereby spending most of their time indoors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people spend “90% of their time indoors.” This means that they are repeatedly exposed to particulate matter, airborne viruses and bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which results in several acute and chronic health challenges.
A Fundamental Shift in Indoor Air Quality Awareness
The pandemic left us with a heightened awareness about indoor air quality. Studies conducted during the COVID-19 era suggested that the virus spreads via inhaled aerosols that become airborne once released into the air. This usually occurs in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. The infection can transmit rapidly because these respiratory droplets can hang in the air for hours.
These findings shifted public and organisational perceptions about indoor air quality overnight. Employers and homeowners took action to arrange proper ventilation and indoor air purification measures. Regulatory authorities rolled out mandatory regulations for commercial and industrial infrastructure. IAQ standards for buildings also came into focus for the safety of occupants, not only during the COVID era but for years to come.
What Has Changed Since the Pandemic?
Let us discuss the key improvements that have become prominent following the pandemic.
- Significant emphasis has been placed on ventilation measures in buildings. The US national public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends good ventilation to control viruses and infections. Adequate ventilation standards not only protect building occupants but also reduce the risk of exposure to airborne contaminants. According to the CDC, ventilation is a broad term that encompasses various meanings. There are natural methods of ventilation where outdoor air replaces indoor air, thereby diluting the concentration of particles. Air filtration systems also clean indoor air quality by trapping contaminants and circulating filtered air.
- Before the pandemic, air filtration was limited to healthcare facilities; however, air filtration systems with high-efficiency filters became mainstream during the COVID era, making them a standard for workplaces, schools, gyms, and shopping malls as well. The surge in the adoption of air-cleaning systems led to improvements in indoor air quality and a reduction in the presence of airborne contaminants, pathogens, mould spores, and bacteria. According to the WHO, high-quality filtration can reduce the risk of infection transmission by up to 47%. Euromate Pure Air indoor air filtration systems are available in a diverse range of solutions to meet the requirements of different spaces.
- Improvements in indoor air quality levels have become a core part of organisational strategy for various reasons. Studies suggest that poor indoor air quality levels can significantly affect employee cognition. Therefore, good ventilation and clean indoor air result in increased employee productivity, cognitive performance, and overall physical and mental well-being.
What Still Needs to Be Done
The prevalence of indoor air quality challenges remains even after increased monitoring and greater consideration. Let us take a brief look.
Current energy solutions are backed by fuel sources that jeopardise air quality. The transition to clean energy solutions remains a challenge due to costs and infrastructure limitations. There is a need for immediate action and a shift in perspective towards clean energy technologies; however, these technologies must be accessible and affordable.
Australia is home to historic architecture, which means older buildings still pose constraints because they are not designed to support adequate ventilation. Retrofitting is a complex task when it comes to older infrastructure because of structural limitations, insufficient capacity, and higher costs. As a result, many residential and commercial spaces rely on air filtration systems for cleaner indoor air.
Euromate Pure Air Offers Advanced Air Filtration Systems for Cleaner Indoor Air
Euromate Pure Air has been in the business for 45 years. We have always advocated the right to breathe clean indoor air for everyone. Our air filtration systems feature advanced mechanisms that control the transmission of viruses and bacteria, delivering clean, contaminant-free air. Explore our product range and choose the most suitable solution for your indoor space. We also cater to industrial requirements with our large-scale air purifiers.
Conclusion
To sum up, air purification systems have been in use for quite some time, but the pandemic and the rapid transmission of infections via airborne aerosols have highlighted their importance. While there are numerous regulations and guidelines to upgrade ventilation and indoor air quality standards, there are challenges that need to be addressed, such as ageing infrastructure and the costly transition to clean energy technologies.
While these challenges require attention, Euromate Pure Air is contributing to the improvement of indoor air quality levels in a wide range of indoor spaces, such as offices, gyms, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities.
