May 2023 Issue
Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) refers to the conditions inside a building, including air quality, temperature, lighting, and noise levels. The quality of the indoor environment is important because it can have a significant impact on human health, comfort, and productivity. With people spending a significant amount of their time indoors, such as in homes, schools, and offices, the indoor environment can affect their physical and mental well-being. Poor IEQ can cause discomfort, irritation, and health problems, such as asthma and allergies. Therefore, maintaining good IEQ is crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of building occupants. In this month's newsletter, we have gathered a range of articles that highlight the importance of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and explore different aspects of it. These articles cover various topics related to IEQ, such as the impact of IEQ on occupants' health and productivity, the latest research on indoor air quality, the role of building design and HVAC systems in achieving better IEQ, and the importance of monitoring and maintaining IEQ in buildings. By reading these articles, you will gain a better understanding of why IEQ is important and how it can be improved to create healthier and more productive indoor environments.
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CDC & IEQ
?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on their website. IEQ refers to the quality of the air, temperature, lighting, and noise in indoor environments, such as buildings, homes, and schools. Poor IEQ can lead to health problems, including respiratory illnesses, allergies, and headaches. The webpage provides information on various IEQ factors and their effects on health, as well as guidance for improving IEQ in indoor environments. The CDC recommends measures such as increasing ventilation, reducing sources of pollution, and maintaining indoor humidity levels to improve IEQ and protect the health of building occupants. Additionally, the webpage provides resources and tools for identifying and addressing IEQ problems in different indoor settings.
Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools
?The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information on maintaining healthy indoor environments in schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The EPA recognizes the importance of healthy indoor environments for the well-being of students, teachers, and staff, especially during a pandemic. The webpage provides guidance on key areas such as ventilation, cleaning, and disinfecting to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools. It also provides recommendations on how to improve indoor air quality, including increasing ventilation rates, using high-efficiency air filters, and limiting the use of products that emit pollutants. The EPA also provides resources for schools to assess and improve their indoor air quality, including tools for evaluating ventilation and filtration systems. Finally, the webpage includes links to additional resources and guidance for schools to promote healthy indoor environments beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is Not a New Topic - Report of the Surgeon General's Workshop on Healthy Indoor Environment
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Back in 2005, a workshop was held by the Surgeon General to improve knowledge about the effects of non-industrial indoor environments, such as homes, schools, and offices, on public health. The workshop aimed to provide information to the Surgeon General, medical and public health communities, and the building industry about the impact of indoor environments on health. The workshop featured presentations from experts in the field, federal officials, and advocacy organizations. The objectives of the workshop were to collaborate with the public health community in reducing communicable respiratory infections, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and allergic diseases caused by indoor environments and to gain a better understanding of research needs in this area.
Study: Is CO2?an Indoor Pollutant? Direct Effects of Low-to-Moderate CO2?Concentrations on Human Decision-Making Performance
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This study looked at how different levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air inside buildings affect people's ability to make decisions. The researchers had 22 people spend time in a special room with different levels of CO2 (600, 1000, and 2500 parts per million) while they took a test on a computer. The researchers found that as the CO2 levels increased, people's ability to make decisions decreased. When the CO2 level was very high (2500 parts per million), people's decision-making ability decreased a lot. This means that having high levels of CO2 in buildings can make it harder for people to do their work and make good decisions. It also suggests that reducing the amount of fresh air brought into buildings to save energy could be harmful to people's performance.?
Low Level Carbon Dioxide Indoors—A Pollution Indicator or a Pollutant? A Health-Based Perspective
This article talks about the importance of understanding the health effects associated with exposure to low-level CO2 concentrations typically seen in indoor environments in buildings. The investigation evaluated the reported health effects and physiological responses associated with exposure to less than 5000 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 and assessed the CO2 guideline and limit concentrations in the context of the investigation. The investigation found that although there is some evidence linking CO2 exposures with health outcomes, much of the evidence is conflicting, making it difficult to say with confidence whether low-level CO2 exposures indoors can be linked to health outcomes. However, the existing guideline concentrations for CO2 levels appear consistent with the current research.
领英推荐
Improving IEQ to Reduce Transmission of Airborne Pathogens in Cold Climates?
The article discusses the importance of proper ventilation in buildings for reducing the transmission of COVID-19. The author, Dr. Stephanie Taylor, explains how respiratory aerosols are a major source of transmission and can be reduced by increasing the amount of outdoor air ventilation and improving air filtration. The article also covers some of the challenges of implementing these measures, such as energy efficiency concerns and the need for regular maintenance. The author emphasizes the importance of following guidance from public health organizations and consulting with HVAC professionals to ensure that buildings are properly ventilated.
Product Spotlight
The Next Gen Health Standard
A holistic system focused on analyzing and managing IAQ from the perspective of occupant health.
A human-centered approach.
Building4Health has created a new medically based approach to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) measurement and management that places human physiology at the epicenter. Their comprehensive data-driven IAQ solution features B4H Vital Signs?, a diagnostic algorithm that measures, analyzes, and synthesizes the health impact of the indoor environment.
Grounded in more than 30 years of scientific and medical research, B4H leads IAQ innovation by shifting the focus to occupant health while also supporting building efficiency and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals.
For more information, visit Building4Health's website below or contact your Varitec Salesperson.
BUILDING AUTOMATION BULLETIN
Varitec Controls & Service Solutions, since 2021
Linking Air Pollution and Heart Disease: Control Your Health and Your Building Spaces?
?It is National Blood Pressure Month!?
What does that have to do with controls and building automation??Read the article to learn more.
?Air pollution is a pressing global issue that has far-reaching implications for human health. Numerous studies have established a strong connection between air pollution and respiratory ailments, but recent research has shed light on an equally alarming link: air pollution's impact on heart health. As we delve deeper into the health consequences of air pollution, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize measures that enhance indoor air quality (IAQ) and mitigate its adverse effects.
?To combat the adverse health effects of air pollution, individuals and institutions can take proactive steps to improve IAQ. On the Mechanical side, implement Regular Maintenance and Cleaning of Mechanical Equipment, Adequate Ventilation, Source Control, and Advanced Air Purification Systems.?VCSS can help you on the controls side with solutions such as Monitoring and Data Analysis.?Ask us about our solutions such as the KMC Air Flow Measuring Station and Open+ powered by KODE OS.
As we become more aware of the intricate relationship between air pollution and heart disease, it is crucial to prioritize IAQ enhancement strategies. By utilizing advanced technologies such as the KMC Air Flow Measuring Station and benefiting from the expertise of the Varitec Controls and KODE Labs partnership with Open+, we can take significant steps towards creating healthier indoor environments and safeguarding the well-being of ourselves and future generations.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you prioritize your IAQ with your building controls.