Metrics for Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality
22nd September 2021. 09.30-13.00
Outdoor air quality in the UK is often measured with the Air Quality Index. Some of the metrics used to measure indoor air quality are relative humidity, particulate matter concentration, volatile organic matter concentration, and exposure limits. However, there is no agreed universal metric. Understanding these metrics in different indoor environments will help to monitor and improve indoor air quality.
This half day event, hosted by Breathing City (the Clean Air Fund’s Future Urban Ventilation Network), will showcase the latest research and strategies associated with air quality metrics. Both the indoor and outdoor environments will be discussed by a range of experts in behavioural science, metrology, atmospheric chemistry, public health and environmental exposure.
Confirmed speakers:
- Pawel Wargocki Technical University of Denmark – DTU, Denmark
- Corinne Mandin Scientific and Technical Centre for Building (CSTB) Paris, France.
- Ben Barratt Imperial College London, UK
- Paul Agnew Met Office, UK
Following the talks we will have time for a panel discussion and interactive breakout rooms.
This event is free to attend and is suitable for researchers, public health practitioners and professionals with an interest in air quality.
To register for the event, please visit Eventbrite.
2021 Spring Summer Seminar Series:
13/04/2021 12.00-13.00 BST. Jim Stewart Evans. Principal Environmental Public Health Scientist at Public Health England. Talk title “Characterising environmental hazards to health: outdoor and indoor exposures”. Watch again on YouTube
27/04/2021 12.00-13.00 BST. Dr. Maarten van Reeuwijk. Reader in the Fluid Mechanics section in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College. Talk title “Understanding personal exposure in outdoor environments using large-eddy simulation”. Watch again on YouTube
11/05/2021 12.00-13.00 BST. Dr. Megan Davies Wykes. Lecturer in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. Talk title “Models for natural ventilation: sash windows and cross-ventilation”. Watch again on YouTube
25/05/2021 12.00-13.00 BST. Prof. Nicola Carslaw. Professor in Indoor Air Chemistry Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York. Talk title “‘Indoor air pollution: should we be worried?”. Watch again on YouTube
08/06/2021 12.00-13.00 BST. Dr Jim McQuaid and Dr. Kirsty Pringle. School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds. Talk title “BiB Breathes: Measuring Children in Bradford’s Exposure to Air Pollution” [Jim McQuaid: BiB Breathes: Project design and the Bradford Clean Air Zone, Kirsty Pringle: BiB Breathes: Sensors, testing and school engagement]. Watch again on YouTube
22/06/2021 13.00-14.00 BST. Professor John Thornes. Public Health England Principal Climate Change Scientist and Emeritus Professor of Applied Meteorology at the University of Birmingham. Talk title “Intervention of Upgraded Ventilation System to Reduce Noxious Air Quality at Birmingham New Street Railway Station”. Watch again on YouTube
06/07/2021 12.00-13.00 BST. Jenny Brierley PhD Researcher in the School of Architecture at the University of Sheffield. Talk title “Zero-carbon and breathable homes – is there a missing link?” Watch again on YouTube
Clean Air Day
Thu, June 17, 2021 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM BST
Watch again on YouTube
As part of Clean Air Day 2021, we hosted an event around engaging and involving the wider public in clean air research. Along with our partner networks, we asked how the research community can ‘translate’ air quality science into messaging, media stories and social media campaigns that cut through to the public, and enable them to join the conversation.
Clean Air Day is focused on improving public understanding of air pollution and building awareness of how air pollution impacts our health. This event is organised jointly by the the six SPF-Clean Air funded air quality networks. The event was hosted by Prof Cath Noakes, Professor of Environmental Engineering for Buildings at the University of Leeds. Speakers were as follows:
- Charlotte Zamboni, Marketing Director, Global Action Plan: Playing on the positive – Turning clean air research into compelling communications
- Lukasz Walasek, University of Warwick: How do we turn communications into action? Insights from behavioural science.
- Mike Morrison, Michigan State University: How to ‘speed up’ science and make it bitesize and user friendly.
Launch Event
On Monday 18th January 2021, the Future Urban Ventilation Network hosted a launch event online. Professor Cath Noakes (PI) provided an overview of the project (slides here) and four air quality experts delivered fantastic presentations.
- Professor Stephen Holgate, University of Southampton, Clean air champion. The Clean Air programme and the health challenges associated with poor air quality
- Dr Sani Dimitroulopoulou, Principal Environmental Public Health Scientist, Public Health England. Indoor air quality and its health impacts
- Professor Paul Monks, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. COVID-19 and Net Zero: challenges and opportunities for the built and urban environment
- Professor Alan Penn, Chief Scientific Adviser, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Policy challenges associated with air quality and buildings in urban environments
You can view these talks below, or click on the title to download the slides:
The afternoon provided more information about the project themes: ‘Coupled indoor-outdoor environments‘; ‘Health-centred ventilation design‘, and ‘Breathing City into Practice‘. This was followed by four online interactive discussion boards.
You can view these talks below, or click on the theme title to download the slides:
The day was concluded with a lively discussion panel to share a variety of perspectives on the topic. The invited panel were:
- Hywel Davies (Technical Director of CIBSE, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers)
- Irene Gallou (joint Head of Specialist Modelling Group and a partner at Foster + Partners)
- Professor Elizabeth Shove (Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Lancaster University)
- Dr Lena Ciric (Senior Lecturer of molecular biology, UCL)
- Professor Helen ApSimon (Professor of Air Pollution Studies, Imperial College London
- Andy Acred (environmental design engineer and low-energy ventilation specialist at Foster + Partners)
You can view the panel discussion here: