The Hidden Health Impacts of Indoor Air Quality with Dr. Iyad Al-Attar

Dr. Iyad Al-Attar shares how indoor air pollutants affect health, filtration systems and more

On this episode of Ask the Expert, we’re joined by Dr. Iyad Al-Attar, and we discuss the impact indoor air quality has on our health. Dr. Iyad has 28 years of experience and is a mechanical engineer and an air quality consultant. He believes in educating others and is a serial student. He is currently a Visiting Academic Fellow at the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing at Cranfield University for air quality and filter performance relevant to land-based gas turbines. He is passionate about air quality and the impact it has on our everyday lives.

Key topics of discussion of this episode include:

Common Indoor Air Pollutants
- Dust, chemicals and biological contaminants in water, fire and mold damage scenarios
- Sources vary by location and project type (e.g. proximity to industry, construction materials)
Pandemic-Proof Filtration
- The pandemic exposed gaps in building air quality management
- Lessons from industrial settings could influence and provide insights for commercial/residential solutions
Air Quality and Fertility
- Indoor pollutants may negatively impact fertility, conception and fetal development
- More research is needed correlating indoor environments with reproductive health
Assessing and Managing Air Quality
- Comprehensive monitoring (spatial, temporal, filter performance) identifies sources and optimizes mitigation
- Integrating air quality into building governance/ratings could drive significant improvements
Promising Innovations
- Correlating filter performance with real-time air quality data to optimize filtration
- Embedding air quality in urban planning and building design from the start

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KEYWORDS: construction indoor air quality

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Kayla McGowan is the Editor-in-Chief of R&R Magazine, with 10 years of experience in marketing and communications in the restoration and cleaning industry. She leads the editorial strategy for R&R and The Experience Events, creating content that informs and connects industry professionals.

Kayla holds a B.S. in Criminal Science and M.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University. She serves as Co-Chair on the RIA’s Marketing Committee.

Kayla is a Microbial Warrior®, a Certified Forensic Operator® and a High Risk/ High Level Decontamination Specialist™. Kayla is passionate about elevating the industry, is a food lover, enjoys spending time with her family, and embracing the outdoors.