BACKROUND
It is well established that indoor air quality (IAQ) is associated with acute health symptoms. Even environments, where the residents are symptom-free, can lead to exposure and subsequent chronic health effects. As populations in the industrialized countries spend a large amount of their time indoors, the indoor environment is a substantial contributor to personal environmental exposure.
AIMS AND SCOPE
It is challenging to measure IAQ, and the effect on both the residents and the buildings. Different methods are currently employed, making it difficult to compare studies and accumulate knowledge across studies. Moreover, IAQ is strongly affected by those occupying the buildings (i.e., crowding, materials, pets, occupant behaviour including activities, practices, and culture). IAQ is also a complex concept, where multiple parameters are affecting each other, and it is hard to single out the effect of one or even a few parameters.
We need to find common ways to address this issue, and reach a scientific consensus on how to study, assess, evaluate and report IAQ. A scientific consensus already in the design phase will allow for more synergy and the ability to compare findings much sooner, and therefore advance our knowledge faster. This consensus based accumulated knowledge might also be more applicable for the governments, industry, and occupants.
The aim of this workshop is to draw on the experience of already established and experienced researchers in the field and add a brainstorm of new ideas, and perspectives. The focus will be on the following questions:
-> What is the most important IAQ marker?
-> What actions impacts the IAQ the most?
-> How should we measure IAQ?
-> Which health outcomes should we focus on?
-> How should we measure change in health status?
Participants are invited to take part in this brainstorm, where we will apply different interactive tools to support the brainstorm.
With this workshop we aim to condensate the current knowledge into a consensus opinion paper to increase comparability and quality of future studies on IAQ and the effect on residents’ health.
PRESENTATIONS
Health and IAQ
Grethe Elholm, Aarhus University, Department of Public Health
Aerosol interaction and IAQ
Glenn Morrison University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US
The Indoor Climate Compass
Gabriel Bekö Technical University of Denmark, DK
Chemistry and IAQ
Kasper Christensen, Aarhus University, Department of DK
