Better design for indoor air pollution: health benefits?

Understanding Indoor Pollution

• Indoor air pollution in India is primarily caused by solid fuels for cooking, primarily in rural areas.

• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially relating to the health and comfort of building occupants.

• Indoor air pollution is a broad term as it comprises both indoor sources of pollution and pollution from outdoors that has infiltrated indoors.

• Indoor air pollution is also caused by activities inside a building and by the structure (and materials used) itself.

Impact of Indoor Air Pollution

• Health effects from indoor air pollution can be experienced soon after exposure or possibly years later.

• Immediate effects include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.

• Health issues that may show up years after exposure, or only after long or repeated periods of exposure may include respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer.

• A build-up of carbon dioxide within an indoor space due to a large number of people using the same space, combined with poor ventilation, is also known to cause symptoms of sickness.

Better Building Design

• Prioritising indoor air quality in design is crucial, as there is a major reason for indoor air pollution.

• In settings where it is possible, opening doors and windows and bringing in sunlight and the use of plants indoors can help.

• In healthcare facilities where sterile settings are important, designing and building to minimize indoor air pollution can go a long way.

• An intentional design process that incorporates skylights, bringing daylight into pathways and hallways, and designing spaces that allow for the movement of people can help.

Rethinking Indoor Air Pollution

• Studies suggest that indoor concentrations of air pollutants are increasing, driven by factors such as the types of chemicals in home products, inadequate ventilation, hotter temperatures, and higher humidity.

• Healthy design elements are easy to incorporate while building a new structure but can also be retrofitted in existing old buildings.