Indoor Air Quality Standards
The federal government places a significant emphasis on outdoor air quality, as evident in the meticulous tracking and regulation of six criteria air pollutants through the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) since 1970. These standards have played a crucial role in improving the air quality of cities, particularly in overcoming past smog challenges.
One might question why a similar unified standard is not applied indoors, instead of navigating through various recommendations from OSHA, ASHRAE, and NIOSH. However, establishing a single standard for both indoor and outdoor air quality is not as straightforward as it may seem. Here are five reasons why indoor air quality (IAQ) necessitates more specific regulations than outdoor air:
1. Indoor air quality - respiratory infection
The NAAQS addresses six criteria air pollutants but does not account for respiratory viruses. With evidence suggesting that COVID-19 primarily spreads through airborne aerosols in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, IAQ standards need to consider viral aerosols for comprehensive regulation.
2. Air purification
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by various products are absent from ambient air quality standards. Since most products releasing VOCs are used indoors, indoor air is more susceptible to VOC contamination. Specific attention to VOCs is crucial to avoid inadvertently excluding individuals sensitive to these compounds.
3. What is particulate matter?
While NAAQS categorizes particulates into PM10 and PM2.5, PM2.5 itself should be further divided into PM0.1 or ultrafine particles. Establishing separate standards for PM0.1 is advisable due to its association with severe health effects, including heart disease and impaired brain development.
4. Air contamination
Diluting contaminants indoors is more challenging than outdoors due to the confined space. Indoor air may have concentrations 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor air, highlighting the need for specific indoor standards that consider this difficulty in dilution.
5. Fresh air calculation
The calculation methods differ between outdoor and indoor standards. Despite it being easier to dilute contaminants outdoors, outdoor standards are often more stringent. Understanding these differences is crucial for accurately setting acceptable exposure levels indoors.
IAQ - Indoor air quality
With 3.2 million of the 6.7 million global deaths related to air pollution occurring due to indoor exposure, it underscores the significance of accurate indoor air quality standards. While unified regulations may not be feasible, developing specific indoor standards is essential. ActivePure is committed to sharing expertise in this domain to benefit all seeking improved indoor air quality.