[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ min_height=”589.3px” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||40px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”16px||-60px||false|false” custom_padding=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]
By Caitríona O’Donovan RGN H.Dip Occ. Health & Hygiene, founder of Be Independent Home Care.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters in Sustainable Design
In the race to build more energy-efficient, environmentally responsible buildings, one critical factor is often overlooked: indoor air quality (IAQ). As the demand for sustainable construction increases, the health of building occupants must not be compromised by inadequate ventilation or chemical exposures.
Modern construction trends, including tighter building envelopes for energy efficiency, have created indoor environments that may trap pollutants and contribute to respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies. A generation ago, homes were naturally ventilated through drafts and chimneys. Today’s sealed buildings are energy efficient but may also be more inhospitable to human health.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters in Sustainable Design
Research from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shown that indoor pollutant levels can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates that 50% of all respiratory illnesses are either caused or worsened by poor indoor air quality. These findings are particularly concerning for people with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory sensitivities.
While asthma education programs often emphasize allergen avoidance and medication adherence, they may underplay the risks posed by non-specific irritants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fine particles, and inadequate ventilation. Effective ventilation remains essential for diluting and removing airborne pollutants, both particulate and gaseous.
Balancing Energy Efficiency with Health
True sustainability goes beyond reducing energy use and carbon emissions. It must also consider Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), a combination of indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, and acoustics. Creating healthy indoor environments means integrating IAQ considerations into every stage of the building process, including:
-
Design – Incorporating mechanical ventilation systems and specifying low-emitting materials.
-
Construction – Avoiding high-emission materials and protecting HVAC systems from contamination.
-
Furnishing – Selecting certified low-emission products.
-
Maintenance – Implementing regular cleaning and ventilation system upkeep.
Sustainable buildings should not compromise human health in the pursuit of energy goals. Instead, building science and medical science must align to support long-term occupant wellbeing.
The Health Friendly Air® Program: Independent IAQ Testing Backed by Science
One evidence-based solution for tackling poor indoor air quality is the Health Friendly Air® Program developed by Airmid Healthgroup. This comprehensive service provides independent onsite testing to identify and verify potential causes of indoor air quality issues, such as mould, bacteria, allergens, and chemical irritants, offering a rapid responsefor homes, offices, schools, and healthcare environments.
What makes the Health Friendly Air® Program unique is its ability to interpret testing results in the context of potential health impacts, making it an invaluable resource for those managing asthma, allergies, or other respiratory sensitivities. Testing is tailored to each client’s needs and includes biological contamination monitoring (both airborne and surface-based), as well as independent verification of indoor air quality.
At the core of this program is Airmid’s ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory and walk-in climate-controlled chambers that simulate real-world indoor environments. Our expert team of scientists, clinicians, and public health professionals use these advanced facilities to deliver fast, reliable insights for clients seeking to improve health outcomes, enhance productivity, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Whether you’re designing a new space or troubleshooting issues in an existing building, the Health Friendly Air® Program delivers science-backed solutions for creating truly healthy indoor environments.
Final Thoughts
To ensure that sustainable buildings are also healthy buildings, we must prioritize IAQ at every decision point. A truly “green” building is not only energy-efficient, it is also designed, built, and maintained with human health in mind.
Related Tests and Services
Room Air Cleaner Devices and Portable Air Purifiers Performance Testing
Performance Testing of Furnace Filters and HVAC Systems
Related Blogs
ASHRAE Standard 241: Control of Infectious Aerosols – Understanding its impact.
From Lab Bench to Loyalty: The People Powering Health-Focused Innovation
Understanding MERV, HEPA, and ASHRAE Standards
Fellowes AeraMax™ Air Purifiers – Validated for Healthier Indoor Air at the 2025 AHR Show
Keywords
sustainable buildings and indoor air quality, asthma and indoor air pollution, health-friendly indoor spaces, energy-efficient ventilation, VOCs in buildings, IAQ and asthma, indoor environmental quality, airtight buildings and health, Health Friendly Air Program, asthma educator resources
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta title=”Do you want to validate your technology?” button_url=”https://airmidhealthgroup.com/contact-us.html” button_text=”Click Here” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”https://airmidhealthgroup.com/contact-us.html” global_colors_info=”{}”]Contact the Airmid Healthgroup team today to learn more about the independent testing process and how it can enhance your product’s credibility in the market.[/et_pb_cta][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_module=”4365654″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
