Tag: Indoor Air Quality

As Americans Spend More Time Indoors, Air Quality Is Becoming a Building Essential

As buildings seal up for colder months and occupants spend more time indoors, indoor air quality (IAQ) is becoming harder to ignore. What was once treated as a background mechanical function is now shaping comfort, complaints, and confidence in shared spaces. For facilities managers, this shift presents a growing challenge. People are making decisions about […]

American Lung Association Outlines State Policies to Boost Indoor Air Quality in Schools

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is a critical but unevenly addressed public health issue. Poor IAQ negatively impacts asthma, absenteeism, and learning outcomes. However, state laws addressing school IAQ vary widely. To help move states toward comprehensive protections, the American Lung Association has released a new report, “A Win-Win for Lung Health: How Policies […]

Smart Surveillance, Real Results: How Sensors Are Changing Facilities Management

Facilities managers are used to wearing a dozen hats—problem-solver, safety officer, IT liaison, compliance expert. But today, that job’s gotten even tougher. Whether you’re running a school, hospital, office, or government building, your to-do list includes safety, air quality, compliance, and keeping everything running smoothly with fewer hands on deck. Video surveillance systems have long […]

Vermont Health Department Recognizes ‘Asthma-Friendly’ Schools

Vermont schools are working to create asthma-friendly learning environments by improving indoor air quality, reducing asthma triggers, and training staff to help students manage their symptoms. “Asthma can cause missed school days, make it difficult to concentrate, limit play and sports, and just make it harder for kids to learn and enjoy their time at […]

Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air Launches

At the United Nations during Climate Week, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), alongside nearly 170 global leaders from public health, academia, civil society, building science, real estate, and industry—representing over 30 countries—announced the formation of the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air. According to the commission, indoor air pollution represents a major public health crisis, […]

How Smarter Indoor Air Quality Is Redefining the Healthcare Environment

Patient care is a priority for healthcare organizations, but budget constraints can keep many operating with outdated facilities management systems. These systems are not seen as directly impacting patient outcomes, so they can fall to the end of the list for investment. This is a missed opportunity because modern building management systems that monitor and […]

WVU Research on School Absences Links Dirty Air to Empty Desks

As the school year begins in many areas, new West Virginia University (WVU) research finds poor air quality may keep tens of thousands of students out of school for weeks each year, hitting young students and children of color the hardest. A study by Mustahsin Ul Aziz, a doctoral student in natural resource economics at the WVU Davis College of Agriculture […]

Aloha, Sustainability! Hilton Renovation in Hawaii Earns Green Building Certification

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort announced that its newly renovated Tapa Tower has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This marks the first LEED-certified tower within the Park Hotels & Resorts portfolio, an independent spin-off from hospitality giant Hilton. “We see the achievement of this LEED […]

Integrating HVAC UV-C Disinfection Monitoring with Building Automation

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a central focus for commercial tenants, facilities managers, building owners, leasing agents, and property owners. One technology option for airstream and HVAC surface disinfection in this regard is ultraviolet energy in the C-band or germicidal wavelength (UV‑C). When incorporated into HVAC air handlers, UV‑C systems help inactivate airborne pathogens, […]

Milwaukee Bucks’ Arena Scores Top Green Building Certification

Fiserv Forum, home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The facility joins Portland’s Moda Center as one of only two NBA arenas to achieve Platinum certification under LEED v4.1 for Operations and Maintenance (O+M) and now represents […]