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What would you say to an incoming UK Government about air quality?

Can poor indoor air quality make us sick? Absolutely, and it’s costing the UK billions.

In this episode of Air Quality Matters, join me alongside a distinguished panel—Baroness Natalie Bennett, Dr. Douglas Booker, Matt Towner, and Professor Sarah West, as we untangle the web of public health issues tied to the air we breathe indoors. With political winds shifting, our conversation is timely and essential, revealing how better ventilation and stricter regulations could revolutionize how we live and work.

The episode underscores the essential role of government intervention and the power of cross-party collaboration in tackling this crisis. Professor Sarah West emphasizes the urgency of holding landlords accountable for ensuring adequate ventilation, especially for vulnerable populations. Matt Towner makes a compelling case for systemic solutions, shifting the burden away from individuals and towards a holistic approach. Our dialogue concludes with an urgent call for clear governmental leadership and a strategic roadmap to enhance indoor air quality nationwide.

From international examples like Japan's innovative use of CO2 monitors to Germany and Belgium's robust public awareness campaigns, we explore actionable strategies that the UK could adopt. The episode also delves into the benefits of systematic air quality monitoring, the role of environmental sensors, and the critical need for providing actionable guidance along with tools.

Highlighting initiatives such as the Welsh government's Air Quality Act, we discuss how statutory targets can drive accountability and progress.

Baroness Natalie Bennet - Linkedin
Douglas Booker - Linkedin
Sarah West - Linkedin
Matt Towner - Linkedin

Gaelan Komen - Linkedin
Policy Connect

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All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

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Have you ever wondered how to make complex air quality systems understandable for everyone, especially those most vulnerable? Join me as I reflect on two major milestones: 20 rewarding years in Ireland and a first year of my consultancy.

This episode is a personal journey through the pillars of my work—consultancy, communication, and diverse projects like teaching and course development. Plus, I share some updates about the podcast's successful effort over the past six months to bring essential conversations about air quality and the built environment to a wider audience. And some exciting news on some partnerships for the next 6.

Communicating technical information to homeowners who may not fully grasp the systems being installed can be quite a challenge.

That’s why we’re tackling the topic of vulnerability in ventilation communication head-on. This episode shines a spotlight on the ethical responsibility of companies to make their systems user-friendly and accessible. We'll discuss the necessity of clear communication, comprehensive support, and continual feedback to ensure everyone's air quality improves, regardless of their background.

We turn to the Healthy Buildings Barometer 2024 , which offers critical insights into European homes and their impact on residents' health—and loads more besides.

https://www.airqualitymatters.net/

https://www.bpie.eu/publication/healthy-buildings-barometer-2024-how-to-deliver-healthy-sustainable-and-resilient-buildings-for-people/

https://aivc2024conference.org/

Support the Show.

Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more.

This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

21 Degrees
Aico
Ultra Protect
InBiot
All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

Send us a Text Message.

A converation with Charles Weschler

After completing his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Chicago, Dr. Weschler did postdoctoral studies with Prof. Fred Basolo at Northwestern University.

In 1975 he joined Bell Laboratories as a research scientist in the Physical Chemistry Division. He conducted research at Bell Labs and its successor institutions until 2001 being named a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (1986).

In 2001 he retired from Bellcore/Telcordia and accepted positions at the Environmental & Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, and the International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Technical University of Denmark. He has continued in those positions through the present. In 2010 he joined the faculty of the Building Science department at Tsinghua University (Beijing) as an ongoing Visiting Professor.

He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Rutgers School of Public Health.

He was a Member of the Committee on Air Quality in Passenger Cabins in Commercial Aircraft, National Academy of Sciences, 2000-2001;

Advisor on Strategies to Protect the Health of Deployed US Forces, National Academy of Sciences, 1998-2000;

Member of the Committee to Review the Structure and Performance of the Health Effects Institute, National Academy of Sciences, 1991-1993;

And Member of the Committee on Advances in Assessing Human Exposure to Airborne Pollutants, National Academy of Sciences, 1987-1990.

From 1999-2005 he served on the US EPA’s Science Advisory Board, and from 2012-2023 was an advisor for the Sloan Foundation’s Chemistry of Indoor Environments program.

He was elected to the International Academy of Indoor Air Sciences in 1999 and received the Pettenkofer Award, its highest honor, in 2014.

He has been conferred the 2017 Haagen-Smit Prize from Atmospheric Environment; “Distinguished Visiting Professor” at Tsinghua University (2018); “Doctor Technices Honoris Causa” from the Technical University of Denmark (2018); and was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2020, AAAS).

We spoke about Ozone, it impacts on human health and the air chemistry in our indoor environments.

And needless to say, if you go looking for information and papers on Ozone Charles Weschler if not an author will be cited somewhere.

So it was a pleasure and honour to talk to Charles, who is an absolute gentleman and so generous with his time.

Ozone is fascinating, never far from controversy and quite a naughty little pollutant by all accounts. It plays a fascinating role in our indoor environments.

This is a really insightful episode and full of information, so strap in, get ready to Google some chemistry names, and enjoy.

Charles Weschler - Linkedin

Support the Show.

Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more.

This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

21 Degrees
Aico
Ultra Protect
InBiot
All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.