Air Quality in Buildings
Cardiovascular Issues
Exposure to pollutant particles can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Impact on Performance and Mood
The air quality in buildings also affects the performance of people who are in them. Clean air can improve concentration, productivity, cognitive ability, and overall mood of the building's occupants, while polluted air can cause fatigue, heaviness, and difficulty concentrating.
Solutions for Improving Indoor Air Quality
When we improve indoor air quality, we deal with much more than just changing the smell or temperature of the air. We aim to achieve air that is clean from pollutants and suitable for breathing.
Basically, we operate two methods, either separately or in combination:
- Air purification systems that draw in air, filter or purify it, and return it to the building space. For example: air particle filters, activated carbon filters, UV light purification systems.
- Air exchange systems that replace indoor air with external air, preferably clean and breathable air, which we refer to as ventilation. For example: opening windows (in restrooms), axial fans (ventilators), exhaust systems for fumes from cooking or chemical processes, gas evacuation in case of a leak, smoke evacuation during a fire.
Role of Ventilation Engineer
Ventilation engineer Beni Meiri has been involved in these issues for decades in both system design and implementation.
Summary
Creating and maintaining air quality in buildings is an important issue that requires professional work with a deep understanding of the problems, risks, and the relationship between the needs of the place and the environmental data. As mentioned, clean and healthy air contributes to maintaining health, improving performance, and enhancing the general well-being of people in buildings. It is important to focus on proper planning and ongoing maintenance. We must ensure that the air we breathe in buildings is clean and healthy.
