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