HEALTHCARE VENTILATION
Poor IAQ is associated with health problems including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases across various settings – including homes, offices, healthcare facilities, and schools. Fine pollution particles don’t only get into the lungs; they can penetrate lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, leading to inflammation and myriad ailments and serious illnesses, from degenerative to terminal diseases
HVAC, filtration, and air monitoring systems to propel the cause for better IAQ if incorporated into building designs from day one of crafting building blueprints. This potential for improved indoor air quality through performance integration should inspire optimism about the future of building design and operation.
The significance of indoor air quality IAQ is a significant factor in physical and mental health, productivity, and quality of life.2,3
Pollutants from
building materials, cleaning products, and furniture, can negatively impact indoor environments. Key IAQ issues include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and biological contaminants like mould and dust mites. Poor IAQ is associated with health problems including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases across various settings – including homes, offices, healthcare facilities, and schools.4,5
Fine pollution particles
don’t only get into the lungs; they can penetrate lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, leading to inflammation and myriad ailments and serious illnesses, from degenerative to terminal diseases. Technologies focused on air quality and filtration can
Figure 2: Surface deposition of particles on the onset of fibrous filter media.
improve indoor environments not only from an aesthetic standpoint (see Figure 1), but also from a health and well- being one – an essential metric for ‘smart’ and ‘green’ buildings. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for cities to enhance their pandemic resilience, increasing interest in innovative technologies for IAQ and occupant health. In response to this awareness, there has been a
growing demand for real-time air quality monitoring and advanced filtration systems to suppress virus transmission. Effective air quality governance – including policy
frameworks, monitoring systems, and public engagement – is critical for improving IAQ. To govern air quality, we ought first to measure continuously and reliably. Envisioning innovative solutions in a noisy air quality landscape with conflicting opinions and approaches can be challenging. Issues with filter selection can arise from several factors – including inadequate filter efficiency, excessive face velocities, and inappropriate fit and installation – leading to air leaks, which defeats the intended purpose of installation in the first place. Furthermore, unnecessary filter efficiency upgrades and excess filter surface area do not effectively contribute to filtration. These conditions can lead to a higher filter pressure drop without a substantial gain in filter efficiency, and have a counter-productive effect on energy efficiency. Ironically, this increased energy burden can trigger a higher scope of greenhouse gas emissions, meaning that ineffective filters can become part of the pollution problem, rather than the solution.
Critical factors when choosing an air filter A critical factor in effectively choosing an air filter is the physical and chemical characterisation of suspended air pollutants present in the outdoor air that contribute to health issues and discomfort.6
Filtration engineers must
prioritise the contaminants that adversely affect occupant health and compromise the performance of filtration and HVAC systems to achieve optimal results. It is crucial to proceed with care when setting standards, as overly simplistic guidelines may overlook the complexities of diverse occupancy scenarios and their unique indoor air quality challenges. Understanding how filtration and HVAC systems react to these variations is essential, especially in environments close to healthcare facilities, schools, commercial aircraft, restaurants, and food courts. Implementing filtration, HVAC, and building design standards – including air quality considerations – can contribute significantly to sustainable building practices. Ensuring public health and wellbeing is vital for creating safe and suitable environments for human occupancy. Effective governance relies on dependable, real-time
data that drives policy and practice. Recent advancements in sensor technology enable continuous IAQ monitoring, offering valuable insights into pollutant levels, temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentrations. Building owners and operators can use this data to make prompt adjustments, such as enhancing ventilation or fine-tuning HVAC settings, to maintain optimal indoor air quality. Governance can help ensure that air quality standards are consistently upheld by mandating IAQ monitoring in public buildings, workplaces, and busy areas. The data collected can also be used to support long-term research, aiding
72 Health Estate Journal February 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
