Modern Building Services

16 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES AUGUST 2022 FEATURE INDOOR AIR QUALITY T o keep our minds sharp and our bodies healthy, we need to breathe in approximately 18kg of air a day. This is a lot of air, especially when you consider that we eat just 1.3kg of food and drink 1.4kg of water per day. A large proportion of this air is consumed within buildings that we live, work and sleep in, in fact, a report from the European Commission indicates that Europeans now spend up to 90% 1 of their time inside. What Are We Breathing? As we have seen during the pandemic, scientific research suggests that indoor air can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air, with a higher concentration of potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, and particles polluting our indoor air. As we strive to make buildings more air-tight to keep in cool or warm air, there is a greater chance that pollutants and harmful bacteria will accumulate, which can have a negative impact on our overall wellbeing. There are lots of airborne factors that can diminish the quality of the air we breathe - mould, pollen, viruses and smells, for example, can all contribute to an unpleasant environment. More importantly these factors can trigger health issues such as the spread of viruses such as COVID 19, asthma and allergies. If left unaddressed, pollutants become more concentrated and bacteria can grow – creating a potentially harmful indoor atmosphere. Indoor air pollution can be particularly difficult to protect ourselves against as it comes frommany sources and is often hard to see. The World Health Organisation 2 categorises the most relevant IAQ issues for public health as biological air pollutants (dampness and mould), chemical pollution (can include everyday cleaning products and Volatile Organic Compounds in building products) and pollutants from indoor combustion of fuels. So, how do we negate the situation and move towards healthier air? There are several everyday changes that we can all make immediately, such as using eco-friendly cleaning products and moving towards hard or wooden flooring that won’t trap bacteria, dirt and dust mites. Another approach to lowering the concentrations of air pollutants in your home or business premises is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors through mechanical means, such as ventilation and air conditioning systems. While this can increase comfort and disperse the concentration of pollutants, it isn’t enough to remove harmful bacteria. Regulators such as The European Commission progressively build a holistic approach for the built environment, which includes science-based policies, technological solutions, appropriate interventions and investing in science and technology. Science and Technology = Healthy Air for Life Panasonic recently introduced the nanoe tm X, designed as a building block of the future for healthier indoor air quality, and is incorporated as standard into many of our Air Conditioning range of units. The solution is a cost-effective way to improve air hygiene by preventing the transmission of airborne pathogens. The technology collects invisible moisture in the air and applies a high voltage to it to generate hydroxyl radicals contained in water. Hydroxyl radicals, abundant in nature, inhibit the growth of certain viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Contained in tiny water particles, this will generate particles that have a long lifespan and can spread over long distances. Recent, independent testing verifies this can inhibit certain types of bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 3 , meaning the air conditioning systems that incorporate this technology can help bring these incredible benefits indoors so that hard surfaces, soft furnishings, and the indoor environment can be a cleaner and more pleasant place to be. Richard Bishop , UK and Ireland Head of Marketing at Panasonic, explains the need for raising awareness around Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Air Conditioning Solutions and why science and technologymust collaborate to deliver healthier air. Science & technology are essential for better indoor air quality