APRIL 20218n average, we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, where pollutant levels are often higher than those of outside., Indoor air quality (IAQ) is one of many factors that determine building functionality and economics. A building with good IAQ is more desirable place to work, learn and conduct business as it affects building occupants and their ability to conduct their activities and creates positive or negative impressions on them. IAQ directly affects occupant health, comfort and productivity. Serious health impacts resulting from poor IAQ include - Legionnaires' disease, lung cancer from radon exposure, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. More widespread health impacts include increased allergy and asthma from exposure to indoor pollutants, molds and other infectious diseases that are transmitted through the air, and "sick building syndrome" symptoms due to elevated indoor pollutant levels as well as other indoor environmental conditions. These more widespread impacts have the potential to affect large number of building occupants and are associated with significant costs due to health-care expenses, sick leave, and lost productivity. The Thought leaders and policy makers must focus on working towards certifications of Healthy buildings like a purchaser of a gadget would like to have some sort of assurance on safety certifications that a product has been performed to against battery explosion, shock, fire hazard etc. Occupants desiring a Healthy Building certification to ensure protection against indoor air pollution follows the same line of thinking. A building owner must ensure that the quality of air inside the building is pollution free and building is certified to be a healthy building.A Holistic Approach to IAQHealtheir Air is an essential aspect of a Healthier, smarter and efficient building that brings health, happiness, wellness and productivity to the users. When it comes to a Healthier building , a holistic approach to IAQ that includes services as well as methods needs to be adopted, right from ventilation concerns to cleaning and disinfecting. Instead of a simple solution, a multi-pronged approach is needed to improve the health of the buildings. This will result in a building not only with a lower risk of the spread of Covid-19, but also allergens, gasses, VOCs, fungus and bacteria. OIN MY OPINIONBy Dinesh Semwal, Founder, Ensavior TechnologiesDue to increasing awareness around healthier air together with corporate health and wellness initiative, the building owners, property managers, and most importantly tenants are expected to ask for assurance on a healthy work environment that will force technological changes in the building infrastructure and certification normsHEALTHIER AIR. HEALTHIER BUILDINGSDinesh Semwal, Founder
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