Air Quality Matters

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With remote work becoming the norm and health-focused living spaces on the rise, we unpack the evolution of building standards like the WELL Building Standard and their impact on both residential and professional environments.

Learn how Fortune 500 companies are taking proactive steps to maintain air quality for remote workers, ensuring healthier, more productive workspaces.

We'll explore the intricacies of air and water quality monitoring and the often-overlooked health impacts of common household products.

From the dangers of plug-in air fresheners to the complex world of water contaminants like PFAS, we discuss these invisible threats and the importance of regulations like the Clean Air Act.

Michael shares his expertise on the critical role of filtration, ventilation, and humidity control in creating optimal indoor environments, emphasizing the potential health benefits for everyone, from financial analysts to professional athletes.

Michael also introduces us to the world of regenerative tea farming, highlighting sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the tea industry. His pioneering approach in achieving Regenerative Organic Certification sets a benchmark for quality and sustainability, offering a blueprint for other industries.

Michael Don Ham - LinkedIn

Repure

Wild Orchid

WELL Buildings

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The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces & InBiot

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

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Optimizing ventilation performance with Tom Hayward, the MVHR department manager at 21 Degrees, shares his expertise on how prioritizing performance specifications over product specifications can transform ventilation solutions.

This episode promises a deep dive into the nuances of Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems and their critical role in improving indoor air quality. Discover why understanding a building's fabric design and energy needs is vital for balancing high heat recovery efficiency with energy consumption and how these systems are not just optional upgrades but essential for preserving occupant health by preventing condensation and mould.

Explore the intricacies of installing MVHR systems in both new construction and retrofit scenarios while tackling common challenges such as placing units within the thermal envelope and making informed ducting choices. Through real-world examples, we challenge misconceptions about ventilation and emphasize the necessity of early planning and collaboration with designers to ensure efficiency and avoid pitfalls.

Rethink how ventilation fits into your building plans, as Tom shares insights into the broader benefits MVHR systems offer beyond heat recovery, such as enhancing air quality and reducing noise levels.

We takle the evolving challenges within the construction industry, where the importance of design and compliance is paramount for achieving high-performance outcomes. Tom highlights the need for specialized professionals and a collaborative approach to effectively manage issues like non-compliance and regulatory changes. Learn about the future of ventilation technology, including the integration of NOx filters for urban air quality and the importance of independent validation.

This episode is a treasure trove of valuable insights for anyone passionate about creating healthier, more efficient living environments.

Tom Heywood - Linkedin
21 Degrees

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The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces & InBiot

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

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Ever wondered how a global standard for indoor air quality could change the way we live and work?

In this episode, we welcome Soterios Papathanassio, the driving force behind the Global Open Air Quality Standard (GoAQS).

We explore Soterios' vision to harmonize the scattered and often incomplete information on indoor air quality, a necessity as crucial as water and food. You'll gain insights on the collaborative journey involving academia and industry to create a universal standard that can be adopted worldwide.

We tackle the nitty-gritty of developing practical indoor air quality standards amidst technological and economic constraints. Discover the innovative two-tier approach that starts with basic monitoring of particulate pollution and carbon dioxide and progresses to encompass other pollutants like formaldehyde and ozone.

Sotirios - Linkedin
Go AQS

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The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces & InBiot

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

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Why does Ireland grapple with higher radon levels than other countries, and what does that mean for our homes?

We unravel these questions with James McGrath, an expert in indoor air quality and building ventilation from the University of Maynooth. Learn why granite-rich regions are particularly susceptible to radon infiltration and how historical and modern building practices influence indoor radon accumulation.

Discover practical strategies for tackling radon, from installing radon barriers to ventilation systems, and understand the challenges of retrofitting older structures.

James shares his expertise on effective remediation techniques such as sub-slab depressurization and discusses the critical balance needed in ventilation to manage radon risks. With insights into the importance of regular testing, this episode emphasizes the unpredictable nature of radon infiltration and the need for ongoing assessment.

We also explore the impact of energy retrofits on radon levels, highlighting the challenges of increasing a building's airtightness without compromising indoor air quality. James sheds light on current research and projects aimed at understanding radon fluxes and risk factors, stressing the importance of testing before and after retrofits.

Together, we address the psychological barriers to radon mitigation and the crucial need for awareness about this hidden yet significant health risk.

James is an assistant professor at the University of Maynooth. He coordinates the Certificate in Science Programme and lectures on the undergraduate physics modules within the Department of Experimental Physics.

He conducts fundamental and applied research in the remit of the indoor built environment, focusing on indoor aerosol dynamics, air quality and building ventilation.

I've known James for close to 10 years and have always followed his work with interest, not least his fascinating research over the last few years on Radon and, in particular, the impact of retrofit on Radon risk.

James McGrath - Linkedin
James McGrath - University of Maynooth
Paper on Radon

Support the show

Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel

The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces & InBiot

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

Send us a text

Could your home's ventilation system be smarter and more efficient?

Join us as we host Gaëlle Guyot from CEREMA to explore how smart and demand-controlled ventilation systems are revolutionizing the built environment.

Gaëlle unveils the core principles of these adaptive systems, which respond to real-time building needs, occupancy, and environmental conditions, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining top-notch indoor air quality. Say goodbye to outdated fixed-rate ventilation and hello to a future of energy-efficient, adaptable indoor climates.

We look into the complexities of humidity-based ventilation, especially France's unique approach to balancing energy efficiency with indoor air quality. Gaëlle's provides an insider's perspective on national agreement procedures, the use of CO2 and humidity indicators, and the historical evolution of these systems. The discussion spans the application of these innovations in countries lacking indoor air quality standards and the tools used to validate their effectiveness, presenting a comprehensive view of how these systems have been refined.

Finally, we explore the latest advancements in air quality measurement technology and the durability of smart ventilation systems. From the significant improvements in sensor technology to the ongoing need for research on long-term robustness,

She highlights both the progress and the challenges ahead. We also emphasize the importance of regular inspections and maintenance, and how organizations like CEREMA play a critical role in advancing building performance and sustainability.

Gaëlle GUYOT - Linkedin
Cerema
AIVC
Annex 86

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Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel

The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces & InBiot

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

Send us a text

Improving indoor air quality isn't just a matter of comfort—it's a critical health issue. 

On episode 41 of the Air Quality Matters podcast, I, make the statement that many home ventilation systems are failing us, leading to dire health and financial consequences. 

Listen in as I unravel the inefficiencies plaguing our ventilation installations, and lay out a strategic plan for setting clear expectations and ensuring rigorous performance checks. 

As winter looms, the fight against condensation, damp, and mould intensifies in the UK. Reflecting on the legislative responses they’ve spurred, we highlight the pressing need for improved ventilation systems to safeguard public health. 

This episode calls for a paradigm shift—encouraging landlords, housing providers, and policymakers to prioritize long-term preventive measures over short-term fixes. 

Explore the significant role of public education in fostering healthier living conditions and how we can collectively push for a future where indoor air quality is a non-negotiable standard. 

Support the show

Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel

The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces & InBiot

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

Send us a text

A conversation with Sarah West

Have you ever wondered how volunteers can transform scientific research?

We explore the essential principles and transformative impact of involving everyday people in air quality research. From monitoring air pollution to engaging UK schools and homes, Sarah shares her invaluable insights and real-world experiences, revealing how citizen science bridges the gap between volunteers and professional researchers to tackle environmental challenges.

Engaging with volunteers is more than just gathering data—it's about meaningful collaboration and ethical considerations. Learn about the complexities of volunteer engagement, the importance of aligning interests and scientific goals, and managing expectations.

How effective communication and personal interactions can make or break a project. Sarah's expertise highlights how to navigate ethical challenges, maintain participant agency, and mitigate risks, ensuring that citizen science remains impactful and respectful.

Sarah West - LinkedIn
Sarah West - SEI
SEI Ten Principles
SAMHE
Ingenious

Support the show

Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel

The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces & InBiot

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

Send us a text

Can technology and data revolutionize social housing?

In our latest episode, we speak with Jenny Danson, the visionary founder and CEO of the Healthy Homes Hub, who believes so.

Jenny shares her journey and the profound impact that smarter, data-driven strategies can have on tenant well-being. We explore the fascinating intersection of technology and social housing, highlighting how proactive data use and innovative maintenance can lead to healthier living environments rather than just ticking regulatory boxes.

Jenny's expertise provides a deep dive into the nuanced challenges facing the housing sector, from the unintended consequences of retrofitting to the slow pace of organizational change driven by risk aversion and underfunding.

Finally, we consider the broader implications of focusing on healthy homes amid crises like COVID-19 and the energy crisis.

Our conversation reveals the importance of aligning leadership with tenant health and sustainability goals and how leveraging AI-driven best practices can create more resilient and equitable housing solutions.

Jenny Danson - LinkedIn

Healthy Homes Hub 

Support the show

Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel

The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces & InBiot

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

Send us a text

The week on the podcast.

I reviewed ASHRAE's position document on air cleaners and filtration. Should we be reading between the lines, and is it one of those documents that will just reinforce whatever your world view is on the subject.

We take a closer look at school environments with insights from a SAMHE paper examining ventilation in 322 UK schools. Learn how CO2 levels fluctuate with the seasons and how poorer ventilation disproportionately impacts schools in disadvantaged areas.

And I catch up on a social media post in the week about measuring ventilation in homes.

Daycare Story

ASHRAE Position Document

SAMHE Paper on Ventilation in Schools

Support the show

Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel

The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces & InBiot

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

Send us a text

This week, the President of RESET, Stanton Wong, joins us from Shanghai. 

We discuss the evolution of low-cost sensors and their impact on what we now call healthy buildings.

The development of the reset standard from the very early days of connected devices: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The importance of continuous measurement in building performance and the evolution of Reset into sustainability and circularity.

A set of building standards measuring the performance of buildings. RESET’s assessment tools & services measure and benchmark embodied and operational carbon, including the circularity and health impact of materials in the built environment and continuous monitoring of air quality, energy, water, and waste, to develop actionable, long-term strategies.

Stanton has been in sustainability for 10+ years. He has a software and product design background and is a futurist passionate about sustainability, the environment, technology, education, and health.

I have been really excited about talking to Stranton, he has been there from the very beginning of continuous monitoring as we understand it today, and Reset is still the benchmark for low cost air quality devices in real estate.

Support the show

Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel

The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces & InBiot

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.