YOUR ASSOCIATION
Open Access
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Emerging Threats to Indoor Air Quality
CDR Anna Khan, MA, REHS/RS
W hen preparing for cooler weather and the November and Decem- ber holiday seasons with friends and family, we often spend more time inside homes, offices, restaurants, schools, and places of worship. This fact makes indoor air quality a concern. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some of us did not leave our homes for 2 to 4 years and schools and o ce spaces sat unoccupied. People are returning to work in person to a greater degree and of- fice spaces are being used again. O ce spaces are not, however, used as often as they once were. According to a Pew Research Center study, approximate one third (35%) of workers with jobs that can be done remotely are working from home full time (Parker, 2023). This occurrence leads us into a new situation with buildings sitting vacant and the need for repurposing the space. A report from The White House (2023) states that o ce vacancies reached a 30-year high of 18.2% in the second quarter of 2023. Amid a housing crisis where the average renter spends at least 30% of their income on rent, the process of converting commercial property to residential housing is becoming a common priority. Anytime an important decision such as this one is made, however, I am not sure if all the subject matter experts are at the table to discuss the issues. For instance, indoor air quality became a hot topic during the pan- demic and remains a prominent issue, par- ticularly if buildings originally designed for commercial or industrial purposes are being repurposed into residential spaces. These conversions often bring unique challenges, as the original ventilation and air filtration
tial amounts of smoke that is filled with fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), carbon monoxide, and other pollutants. These particles can eas- ily penetrate building envelopes through gaps around windows, doors, and ventilation sys- tems, leading to poor indoor air quality even when the fire is miles away. Prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can aggravate respiratory conditions, cause eye irri- tation, and contribute to cardiovascular issues. The respiratory risks are worse for select popu- lations (e.g., infants, older adults, and people with certain conditions). To mitigate these harmful eects, it is essential to use air puri- fiers with HEPA filters, ensure proper sealing of indoor spaces, and monitor air quality levels. Addressing the infiltration of wildfire smoke helps protect occupant health and maintains a safe and comfortable living environment dur- ing fire seasons and year-round in some areas where there is no longer a set fire season. While several federal programs are dedi- cated to supporting the e cient conver- sion of commercial spaces to residential spaces, The White House is committed to advancing the Housing Supply and Action Plan that will allocate $3 billion annually to nationally support several components of the conversion process. With so much focus and attention from national policy- makers and political leaders, it is critical to have environmental health professionals at the table with community leaders and poli- cymakers to make sure that environmental public health issues are being addressed to protect communities from public health the- ats as the planning and repurposing of these spaces are being strategically developed.
By developing a clear policy statement on indoor air quality, NEHA will establish itself as the gold standard in environmental public health issues.
systems might not meet the needs of a liv- ing environment. Issues such as inadequate air circulation, the presence of construction materials that o-gas volatile organic com- pounds (VOCs), and the accumulation of dust and pollutants can compromise air qual- ity in these newly converted spaces. As more people move into such buildings, the impor- tance of addressing these air quality concerns becomes increasingly evident. Ensuring that these adapted spaces have proper ventilation, eective filtration, and monitoring systems is crucial for maintaining healthy and comfort- able living conditions. Another air quality issue that continues to be a bigger problem with climate change is the ability to filter smoke that originates from local wildland fires. Smoke significantly degrades indoor air quality and poses serious health risks. Wildfires can produce substan-
6
Volume 87 • Number 4
Powered by FlippingBook