Indoor air quality is a growing concern, and for a good reason. According to the EPA, indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Given that Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, this statistic is even more alarming.

“Sick buildings” are an issue that needs to be addressed in all sectors of the building industry, according to the Building Science Corporation. As homes become tighter and more energy efficient, issues related to moisture and ventilation often surface. Each day, building scientists and public health researchers uncover more about the link between poor indoor air quality and serious health issues, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions like asthma and allergies.

The impact extends beyond physical health. Poor IAQ has been linked to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and reduced attention spans in classrooms. Childhood asthma, often exacerbated by poor IAQ, remains a leading cause of chronic disease-related school absenteeism, resulting in over 10 million missed school days each year.

Step Up to the Challenge

Building professionals play a crucial role in addressing this challenge. By prioritizing IAQ in designs and material choices, the industry can contribute to healthier homes, workplaces, and learning environments. One area where they can make a significant difference is choosing the right insulation.

When constructing a building and choosing its insulation, contractors, owners, and operators should do the proper research and commit to using GreenGuard GOLD and Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certified products. This certification, offered by Allergy Standards Limited in partnership with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, means a product has been rigorously tested to ensure it reduces or removes allergens (products are designed to minimize allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold), and emits low VOCs (products release minimal volatile organic compounds, which can irritate airways).

Indoor Air Quality and Healthcare Equity

At the 2024 ASHRAE Summer Conference in Indianapolis, Dr. John McKeon, principal at the iAIR Institute and CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd. and former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, sat down to discuss critical issues of health disparity in asthma, improving air quality for all, and the reactive nature of the U.S. healthcare system.

Eighty percent of American’s health is caused by what is known as social determinants of health: environmental and socioeconomic factors and health-related behaviors. Dr. Adams cites, as an example, that black people in the U.S. are 40 percent more likely to have asthma than white people and black children are eight times more likely to die from asthma.

As a lifelong asthma sufferer himself, Dr. Adams explained how he grew up as an African American boy in a small rural community in southern Maryland where “no one thought about clean air, indoors or out. I was exposed to toxins. I lived in rental housing that had mold, dander and mildew and didn't have great ventilation. That meant no matter what my physicians did, I was in the hospital over and over again.”

Adams continues, “We have a ‘sick reimbursement system’ in this country. We don’t promote health and wellness. Our system really is about the diagnosis and treatment of disease. We wait until you have a disease before you can even come in and see anyone.”

Dr. McKeon agrees. “Prevention has often been overlooked in the American healthcare system, where the emphasis is placed on treating diseases after they arise. However, investing in better indoor air quality is a prime example of how prevention is truly better than cure. By improving the air we breathe in our homes, schools, and workplaces, we can reduce the burden of chronic diseases like asthma, leading to healthier populations and a more sustainable healthcare system,” he said.

“Innovative approaches to improving indoor air quality represents a long-term investment in the well-being and productivity of our communities. It's time we shift our focus toward proactive measures that enhance overall well-being and reduce long-term healthcare costs,” says McKeon.

Building for IAQ

Building professionals play a significant role in not just structures, but the health of society as a whole. They can construct buildings that are not only energy-efficient but also promote the health and well-being of occupants. As awareness of IAQ continues to grow, prioritizing healthier indoor environments will become a key differentiator for building professionals committed to excellence. By working together as a society to improve housing and indoor air quality, we can provide people with cleaner air, which is proven to lower cardiovascular and pulmonary disease rates (WHO). This is not only a moral responsibility but also a sound business strategy.