State of the Air - IAQ Update Hot Takes
Hey All! It's been a minute since I posted an article, so why not do a comprehensive roundup of one of my favorite topics... Air Quality!
Mind you that this is just a sampling of what's come across my desk recently (and I still feel like I'm not capturing it all), so if there are other topics of interest that aren't included here (or things I forgot), I'd love to see those too in the comments!
IEQ Applications Column: From Canaries to Sensors and AI - The Evolution of Monitoring Indoor Air
The World Health Organization ranks air pollution as the second highest risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, but standards for the control of indoor air pollutants consist largely of prescriptive design requirements rather than operational performance limits. This ASHRAE Journal column explores the past, present and future of building monitoring, which ties in with "Healthy Buildings: Designing for Life," the theme of 2025 – 26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE. Scott Conner as well as Hans Augustenborg will appreciate the title...
"From Canaries to Sensors and AI - Monitoring Indoor Air " by Seema Bhangar and Lisa Ng builds on the inputs from a variety of experts and leaders (tagged here ) who contributed to the coauthored U.S. Green Building Council report that inspired this piece - https://lnkd.in/g4H452-J
Seema also shared this at the Center for the Built Environment (CBE) - check the video link below:
Driving Action on Indoor Air Monitoring in Commercial Buildings (YouTube)
Long-term air pollution exposure and incident dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Dementia, a clinical syndrome involving progressive cognitive decline that impairs daily functioning, was estimated to affect more than 57·4 million people globally in 2019, and ranked as the eighth leading cause of death worldwide in 2021.
A rapidly evolving evidence base suggests that exposure to outdoor air pollution is a risk factor for the onset of dementia, with an upturn in publications since 2022. The authors sought to synthesize and critically assess this evidence base accounting for the latest studies.
This analysis adds to the body of evidence that outdoor air pollutants (particulate matter PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and black carbon) are risk factors for dementia, indicating that reduced exposure to pollution could reduce dementia rates and stricter air quality standards would likely provide substantial health, social, and economic benefits.
State of Global Air Report 2025
The State of Global Air 2025 report provides a comprehensive analysis of data for air quality and health impacts for countries around the world in 2023. The analysis finds that:
36% of the world's population is exposed to levels of PM2.5 pollution above the least stringent interim target of 35 μg/m3. About 1/3 - almost 2.6 billion people - are exposed to pollution from burning solid fuels for cooking at home. 95% of air pollution attributable deaths in adults over the age of 60 are due to noncommunicable diseases like COPD, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease.
As in previous years, the State of Global Air 2025 report and accompanying website provides comprehensive data on the levels and trends in air quality and health for every country in the world. This State of Global Air report was produced in partnership with Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation & NCD Alliance . In the State of Global Air 2025 interactive app , you can explore, compare, and download data and graphics reflecting the latest air pollution levels and associated burden of disease for over 200 individual countries, territories, and regions, as well as track trends from 1990 to 2023.
What's in the Air You Breathe?
I did a presentation a while back for Nerd Nite Omaha (find one near you at https://nerdnite.com/ ) which I titled "22,000 Breaths Daily: What's in the Air You Breathe?" I probably could have just shown this 6 minute video from TED-Ed instead though...
What’s in the air you breathe? - Amy Hrdina and Jesse Kroll (YouTube)
Substack on IAQ
Liam Bates started a Substack newsletter ! I won't pretend to understand how Substack works because I just really can't keep track of all the apps and websites anymore (
I just started using Threads recently so I'm maxed out), but you can bet he'll be talking a bunch about Indoor Air Quality! From his email
I spend a lot of time talking about air quality, healthy buildings, sustainability, and engineering, but struggle with the short format on LinkedIn, so decided to launch something a little longer and more in the weeds.
Woosh Dashboard Early Access
I got early access! Hooray! If and when I can get myself together, I'll be creating a video (remember when I used to do that) on the new Woosh Dashboard. I have a filter in my house and am really into it so far! This is your cue to check out Winston Mok on Shark Tank to figure out what Woosh even is...
Mr Wonderful REFUSES To Negotiate With Woosh! | Shark Tank US | Shark Tank Global (YouTube)
Atmotube Pro 2
Speaking of videos I need to make... thanks to Tony Kolotov and Tijana Markovic at Atmo for sending me an Atmotube Pro 2 (portable, personal IAQ monitor). I also told my son he could take this to school so we could do some 'backpacking' (because IAQ in schools is still a really big deal ).
So stay tuned...
Open Air Chicago
Open Air Chicago is a citywide project consisting of 277 air sensors collecting data on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), providing air quality information for Chicago communities and residents. This network supplements the local air quality data currently available on AirNow.gov , which includes data from federal-grade monitoring systems, to provide air pollutant estimates at the hyperlocal level.
Similar initiatives also focusing on indoor air are in the works from California Department of Public Health (which has some great simplified guidance on indoor air as well) and there's always the AirGradient Ltd. map too.
ASHRAE Chapter Launches Program to Explore Healthy Buildings
ASHRAE Hamilton Chapter has created a seven-part program to explore this year’s ASHRAE Society theme, “Healthy Buildings Designed for Life.” The program is constructed around a Harvard study discussing the nine foundations of a healthy building. The Hamilton Chapter selected seven foundational topics that aligned closest with ASHRAE’s mission, using one topic for each chapter’s meeting: Ventilation, Air Quality, Thermal Health, Acoustics, Moisture, Safety & Security, and Water Quality. A recent highlight of the Oct. 7 program featured the theme “Noise” and a tour of McMaster University, as well as a lecture from Akshay Khuggar, titled “Noise Control by Design: Elevating User Experience to Build Healthier Environments.”
Traditionally, ASHRAE’s Hamilton Chapter has connected its annual programs to the Society’s presidential theme. Aaron Besseling , president of ASHRAE’s Hamilton Chapter, discussed how this year’s presidential topic immediately inspired the chapter’s structure model and his team’s innovative program expansion. “The topic offers a wide range of subcategories, allowing for diverse and engaging programming,” Besseling said. “We’re incredibly excited about this year’s lineup. Our chapter members are especially drawn to tours, and we’ve built several into our schedule.”
Can we do something similar Nebraska ASHRAE , Sarah Bordenkecher, PE ?
Air Club
The September 23, 2025 launch of the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air represents at UN Headquarters was a landmark moment, signaling the first international movement to prioritize healthy indoor air for all. We invite governments, non-governmental organizations, cities, universities, schools, healthcare facilities, professional associations, advocacy organizations, businesses, and community groups to join this Pledge. Together, we can build a world where everyone, everywhere, breathes healthy indoor air.
Sign the pledge at https://www.airclub.org/
