Indoor Air Quality

In Aotearoa New Zealand, the health impacts of indoor air quality (IAQ) are not widely recognized, and there is limited country-specific research on the subject. The Environmental Innovation Centre focuses on IAQ, conducting research projects to raise awareness.  Indoor air pollution in homes was linked to approximately 3.2 million deaths in 2020, with more than 237,000 fatalities affecting children below the age of 5 (WHO, 2023).

A previous study, funded by Cristal Air International Ltd and conducted by our team, explored the impact of positive pressure ventilation (PPV) systems on IAQ across 15 homes. This comprehensive research encompassed the assessment of particulate matter, heavy metals, molds, as well as temperature and humidity levels. Significant findings revealed that PPV installation led to an 86.7% reduction in indoor particulate matter concentrations and 4–14% decrease in relative humidity in 86.7% of the homes.

The partnership with Cristal Air is set to continue into 2023/24, supporting ongoing research on "Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort in Energy-Efficient Residential Buildings" for German Hernandez's PhD.