Thursday, 15 June 2023 is Clean Air Day. To mark the occasion, a group of more than 200 doctors and hospital staff from across the United Kingdom (UK) have written to Prime Minister - Rishi Sunak to demand action on air pollution.
Clean air expert - Mark Bouldin at Johnson Controls corroborates this view and stresses the importance of pushing forward government legislation on air quality.
Shedding light on an important issue
Mark Bouldin comments, “Clean Air Day is a chance to shed light on the importance of improving the air we breathe. With a large focus from governments and businesses on achieving net zero goals, the two go hand-in-hand. Indoor air quality is hardly ever the focus that’s hard to believe when we spend 90% of our time indoors, and indoor air quality can be five times more polluted than outdoor air!"
Welcoming new legislation
BSI code sets forth standards for assessing and measuring indoor air quality in non-residential buildings"
Mark Bouldin stated, “Thankfully, we’re finally starting to see a change in the right direction. Legislation to introduce Clean Air to the Human Rights Bill continues its advance through UK Parliament. When passed and adopted it will require sampling, measuring, and reporting of a wide range of pollutants."
He adds, "On top of this, the British Standards Institute (BSI) released its new 'Health and well-being and indoor environmental quality in buildings' code of practice last month. Much like the HSA code, the BSI code sets forth standards for assessing and measuring indoor air quality in non-residential buildings."
Improving environments with technology
Mark Bouldin said, “What’s clear is new and existing buildings need sufficient ventilation, filtration, and disinfection technology installed, which must be linked to an occupancy measuring solution as well as technology to measure the level of indoor air quality. We have technologies available that can capture 99.7% of airborne pathogens, ensuring the air people breathe is safe while helping to reduce costs and improve energy efficiency."
He continues, “We all now have the opportunity to create an environment that’s sustainable, efficient, and healthy. Ensuring cleaner air is essential for our health and the future of our climate, now is the time to take it seriously.”