A really insightful and timely perspective in BUILDINGS by Mauro J Atalla of Trane Technologies and Nora Wang Esram of New Buildings Institute, highlighting how buildings sit at the nexus of sustainability and human health, with a powerful business case to match. And appreciate that both are Commissioners of The Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air, working to bring more attention and focus to the critical role of indoor air quality. Highly recommend taking a look. #Leadership #Sustainability #Health #IAQ #HealthyIndoorAir #EnergyEfficiency https://lnkd.in/e4VsT5KD
Buildings' Role in Sustainability and Human Health
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Excited to co-author this piece on a simple idea we often overlook: Buildings are one of the most powerful levers for human health. Health is the foundation for everything we do—and it shouldn’t be a tradeoff. We don’t have to choose between clean air and energy efficiency. With the right collaboration and innovation, every building can—and should—be both efficient and healthy.
Leading global advocacy and communications at the forefront of the healthy buildings movement.
A really insightful and timely perspective in BUILDINGS by Mauro J Atalla of Trane Technologies and Nora Wang Esram of New Buildings Institute, highlighting how buildings sit at the nexus of sustainability and human health, with a powerful business case to match. And appreciate that both are Commissioners of The Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air, working to bring more attention and focus to the critical role of indoor air quality. Highly recommend taking a look. #Leadership #Sustainability #Health #IAQ #HealthyIndoorAir #EnergyEfficiency https://lnkd.in/e4VsT5KD
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🎉 Congratulations to ASBP - Alliance for Sustainable Building Products – on the 10th Healthy Buildings Conference & Expo! Over the past ten editions, ASBP has built a strong platform for one of the most important topics in our sector: #healthy #homes and indoor environmental quality. It was a pleasure for natureplus e.V. to be part of this anniversary edition — and an honour for our CEO Tilmann Kramolisch to join the closing panel discussion. 💡 Key takeaway: Designing a healthy #building with good indoor air quality is complex. Our easy answer is: every good building starts with good, healthy materials — and that’s exactly what the natureplus eco-label helps to identify. One important point from the discussion: solutions must work for the people who live in buildings — and that means considering local conditions and living behaviour. In Germany we love “Lüften” (opening windows wide); in dense, hot cities with traffic, filtration and cooling can be essential. There’s no one-size-fits-all system — but there is a robust starting point: 🌱 choose healthy, tested materials for the long run. 🌱 🌎 At natureplus e.V., we back this with strict, holistic assessment of material health and indoor air quality — while keeping the bigger picture in mind: #health, #climate and #resources. Quality and transparency build trust in the market and help planners and municipalities with reliable proof. A line that stayed with us from the conference (Sir Stephen Holgate): “Air pollution is the new tobacco smoking. You breathe air with pollutant particles.” Special Thanks to the other speakers: Martha Lewis, Hulusi Mustafa, Aazraa Oumayyah Pankan, PhD And one more highlight: we recorded a short “Talking Heads” conversation (5–10 min) with Simon Jones from his excellent, knowledge-driven podcast “Air Quality Matters” — thank you! I felt truly honoured to be part of it. 👉 All conference info: https://lnkd.in/e7qAXveJ #HealthyBuildings #IndoorAirQuality #HealthyHomes #SustainableConstruction #MaterialHealth #natureplus
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I am excited to share our new paper that was just published: “Integrating Health and Indoor Air Quality into European Building Policy: A Landmark Policy Shift” https://lnkd.in/enm57ntA Europe, for the first time ever, has embedded health and indoor air quality requirements into energy building policy. This is a global first, at this scale. We spend 90% of our time indoors, and yet we do not have health-based standards for the air we breathe inside. Europe is about to undergo a major change in this historical divide between energy building policy and public health. This is a big deal. For decades, building policy has prioritized energy efficiency—often without fully accounting for impacts on human health. EU’s update begins to change that, integrating indoor environmental quality into the core of how buildings are designed, renovated, and evaluated. The updated policy calls for indoor air quality standards and requirements for monitoring in all new (non-residential) buildings, among other items. You can’t manage what you don’t measure! Monitoring is a first step towards decreasing the invisible threat from airborne particles, pathogens, allergens, and gases. EU Member States have a narrow window to get this right. In the paper, we outline key recommendations for policymakers, public health officials, and advocates: 1) Take advantage of this opportunity to establish a framework for indoor air that prioritizes public health (e.g., establish health-based indoor air quality standards) 2) Establish a community of practice to share best practices 3) Implement harmonized standards based on recommendations from REHVA, Eurovent, and Nordic Ventilation Group across all European buildings to avoid a patchwork framework. 4) Develop template legislative language Thank you to co-authors Pawel Wargocki, Skandan Ananthasekar, and Porter Culp. And thanks to the global community at Air Club (https://airclub.org/) where we are driving action through the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air. Brown University Pandemic Center
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Energy policy with IEQ KPI to define building performance is the only way forward to support occupants health, performance and safety
Science policy leader | Former White House | Clean indoor air expert | Making the world more sustainable and secure with biology
I am excited to share our new paper that was just published: “Integrating Health and Indoor Air Quality into European Building Policy: A Landmark Policy Shift” https://lnkd.in/enm57ntA Europe, for the first time ever, has embedded health and indoor air quality requirements into energy building policy. This is a global first, at this scale. We spend 90% of our time indoors, and yet we do not have health-based standards for the air we breathe inside. Europe is about to undergo a major change in this historical divide between energy building policy and public health. This is a big deal. For decades, building policy has prioritized energy efficiency—often without fully accounting for impacts on human health. EU’s update begins to change that, integrating indoor environmental quality into the core of how buildings are designed, renovated, and evaluated. The updated policy calls for indoor air quality standards and requirements for monitoring in all new (non-residential) buildings, among other items. You can’t manage what you don’t measure! Monitoring is a first step towards decreasing the invisible threat from airborne particles, pathogens, allergens, and gases. EU Member States have a narrow window to get this right. In the paper, we outline key recommendations for policymakers, public health officials, and advocates: 1) Take advantage of this opportunity to establish a framework for indoor air that prioritizes public health (e.g., establish health-based indoor air quality standards) 2) Establish a community of practice to share best practices 3) Implement harmonized standards based on recommendations from REHVA, Eurovent, and Nordic Ventilation Group across all European buildings to avoid a patchwork framework. 4) Develop template legislative language Thank you to co-authors Pawel Wargocki, Skandan Ananthasekar, and Porter Culp. And thanks to the global community at Air Club (https://airclub.org/) where we are driving action through the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air. Brown University Pandemic Center
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Europe just made one thing clear: indoor air quality is no longer optional—it’s a core building performance metric. With the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, new and renovated buildings across the EU must now account for indoor environmental quality (IEQ) alongside energy efficiency. That means ventilation, filtration, and real-world air quality performance are moving to the center of design, compliance, and long-term asset value. At the same time, the data is sobering—millions across Europe remain exposed to elevated particulate levels, and the expectation is shifting toward healthier, monitored indoor environments in offices, schools, healthcare facilities, and transportation hubs. This is where ViSTAT™ pathogen-inactivating air filtration technology changes the conversation. Rather than forcing a tradeoff between airflow and filtration performance, ViSTAT™ is designed to: • Significantly enhance viral and bioaerosol reduction at real-world airflow rates • Maintain system efficiency without major pressure-drop penalties • Deliver sustained, active pathogen control throughout the filter lifecycle • Integrate seamlessly into existing HVAC systems—no major retrofits required In the European context, the positioning is clear: 👉 Ventilate correctly (EN 16798 standards) 👉 Measure IEQ (CO₂, PM, humidity, temperature) 👉 Enhance protection with pathogen-inactivating filtration ViSTAT™ is not a replacement for ventilation—it’s a next-layer defense aligned with where building standards are heading. As Europe accelerates toward zero-emission buildings with verified indoor air performance, the winners will be technologies that deliver health + efficiency + measurability—not one at the expense of the others. Clean air is no longer just about comfort. It’s about resilience. #IndoorAirQuality #EPBD #CleanAir #HVAC #BuildingInnovation #HealthyBuildings #AirFiltration #ViSTAT #BioActiveTechnology
Science policy leader | Former White House | Clean indoor air expert | Making the world more sustainable and secure with biology
I am excited to share our new paper that was just published: “Integrating Health and Indoor Air Quality into European Building Policy: A Landmark Policy Shift” https://lnkd.in/enm57ntA Europe, for the first time ever, has embedded health and indoor air quality requirements into energy building policy. This is a global first, at this scale. We spend 90% of our time indoors, and yet we do not have health-based standards for the air we breathe inside. Europe is about to undergo a major change in this historical divide between energy building policy and public health. This is a big deal. For decades, building policy has prioritized energy efficiency—often without fully accounting for impacts on human health. EU’s update begins to change that, integrating indoor environmental quality into the core of how buildings are designed, renovated, and evaluated. The updated policy calls for indoor air quality standards and requirements for monitoring in all new (non-residential) buildings, among other items. You can’t manage what you don’t measure! Monitoring is a first step towards decreasing the invisible threat from airborne particles, pathogens, allergens, and gases. EU Member States have a narrow window to get this right. In the paper, we outline key recommendations for policymakers, public health officials, and advocates: 1) Take advantage of this opportunity to establish a framework for indoor air that prioritizes public health (e.g., establish health-based indoor air quality standards) 2) Establish a community of practice to share best practices 3) Implement harmonized standards based on recommendations from REHVA, Eurovent, and Nordic Ventilation Group across all European buildings to avoid a patchwork framework. 4) Develop template legislative language Thank you to co-authors Pawel Wargocki, Skandan Ananthasekar, and Porter Culp. And thanks to the global community at Air Club (https://airclub.org/) where we are driving action through the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air. Brown University Pandemic Center
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ViSTAT™ is strong fit with Europe’s new building direction, but the key is that ViSTAT™ is an IAQ-enabling ventilation/filter technology, not just as an antimicrobial coating.
Science policy leader | Former White House | Clean indoor air expert | Making the world more sustainable and secure with biology
I am excited to share our new paper that was just published: “Integrating Health and Indoor Air Quality into European Building Policy: A Landmark Policy Shift” https://lnkd.in/enm57ntA Europe, for the first time ever, has embedded health and indoor air quality requirements into energy building policy. This is a global first, at this scale. We spend 90% of our time indoors, and yet we do not have health-based standards for the air we breathe inside. Europe is about to undergo a major change in this historical divide between energy building policy and public health. This is a big deal. For decades, building policy has prioritized energy efficiency—often without fully accounting for impacts on human health. EU’s update begins to change that, integrating indoor environmental quality into the core of how buildings are designed, renovated, and evaluated. The updated policy calls for indoor air quality standards and requirements for monitoring in all new (non-residential) buildings, among other items. You can’t manage what you don’t measure! Monitoring is a first step towards decreasing the invisible threat from airborne particles, pathogens, allergens, and gases. EU Member States have a narrow window to get this right. In the paper, we outline key recommendations for policymakers, public health officials, and advocates: 1) Take advantage of this opportunity to establish a framework for indoor air that prioritizes public health (e.g., establish health-based indoor air quality standards) 2) Establish a community of practice to share best practices 3) Implement harmonized standards based on recommendations from REHVA, Eurovent, and Nordic Ventilation Group across all European buildings to avoid a patchwork framework. 4) Develop template legislative language Thank you to co-authors Pawel Wargocki, Skandan Ananthasekar, and Porter Culp. And thanks to the global community at Air Club (https://airclub.org/) where we are driving action through the Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air. Brown University Pandemic Center
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🌍 World Humidity Control Day – Why Humidity Matters Indoors Yesterday we marked 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆, a moment to highlight the often overlooked role that humidity plays in healthy indoor environments. People spend around 90% of their time indoors, which makes indoor air quality a key factor for health, comfort, and wellbeing. While ventilation and temperature are frequently discussed, proper humidity control is equally essential. Maintaining balanced indoor humidity levels helps to: • Improve occupant comfort • Support healthier indoor environments • Protect buildings, materials, and equipment • Enhance the performance of HVAC and ventilation systems 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱. Modern ventilation solutions play an important role in maintaining balanced indoor conditions that support both wellbeing and energy efficiency. At the EVIA and Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA), we continue to support initiatives and technologies that help create healthier, better-performing indoor environments across Europe. #WorldHumidityControlDay #IndoorAirQuality #Ventilation #HealthyBuildings #IAQ
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Sick buildings don’t just impact health—they impact the bottom line. According to the EPA, poor indoor air quality costs U.S. businesses billions of dollars each year in lost productivity, absenteeism, and healthcare expenses. Yet for many organizations, IAQ is still treated as a background variable—not a measurable business input. That’s starting to change. Building owners and operators are beginning to recognize that cleaner indoor air directly supports workforce performance, tenant satisfaction, and operational continuity. At WellAir, we see indoor air quality as more than an environmental factor—it’s a performance lever. 📖 Read our latest blog to explore why IAQ is quickly becoming a business priority: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gA5ESfDw #IndoorAirQuality #BuildingPerformance #HealthyBuildings #WorkplaceWellness #PropTech #WellAir
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Through LEED v5, healthcare facilities are being reimagined to prioritize patient outcomes and staff well-being, while addressing the urgent need for #decarbonization and #resilience in the built environment. For new construction, healthcare project type credits, such as Places of Respite and Direct Exterior Access, help create spaces that support healing, access to nature, and overall well-being. From improving indoor air quality to reducing emissions, #LEED is shaping environments that care for both people and the planet. 🔗 Read more about LEED strategies in healthcare: https://bit.ly/4lTQXzi #LEEDv5 #Greenbuilding #LEEDinHealth
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Five Takeaways from a Timely Congressional Briefing on Indoor Air Quality 1. Indoor air quality is a foundational public health issue 2. Indoor air pollution affects millions of Americans every day 3. The science of indoor air pollution is clear, and the health risks are significant 4. Proven solutions already exist 5. Implementation requires action from building professionals and policymakers The congressional briefing demonstrated that momentum is building across science, academia, industry and policy. As Dr. Gray noted, progress will require collaboration across disciplines. “If you do not partner, if you do not operationalize these solutions, then we won’t be successful,” she said. . “At IWBI, we partnered with more than 200 global leaders to form the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air. We have the science globally. Now it will be a question of who will implement it first to lead investment in the future of children and workforces.” Jason Hartke, Whitney Austin Gray https://lnkd.in/eiFmEVmC (IWBI Global Commission on IAQ) https://lnkd.in/e8Vx3iP5 (Investing in Health ROI) https://lnkd.in/efj3B5iw (Full Article) #WeAreWELL #IAQ
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3dThis is the right direction—bringing health and energy into the same conversation—but it also exposes a critical gap. We’re improving systems, deploying sensors, and integrating controls… yet we still lack a continuous, time-sequenced record of what occupants are actually exposed to. Without that, “healthy” and “efficient” remain largely assumed. The real question is not just: Can we improve IAQ and energy together? But: Can we prove what environmental condition was achieved—and sustained—over time? Because exposure is cumulative, not momentary. If we want buildings to function as true engines of health and performance, the next step is not just integration—it’s accountability through verifiable environmental records. That’s where health, energy, and truth finally align.