Indoor Air Quality as a Public Health Strategy to Reduce the Risk of Infectious Disease Transmission in the Built Environment

The first half of 2023 has witnessed a revolution in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Guided by the urgent need to combat airborne diseases, we're seeing new standards and the invention of advanced technology. This global effort towards cleaner, healthier air promises to transform our future.

IBEC and AIHA are at the forefront of this movement, striving to understand and share the impact of these developments on our daily lives - from our health to how our buildings are designed and operated to the methods we use to monitor and control indoor pathogens. We recognize the power of proactive change and the potential of innovative policies to reshape how we protect public health.

To this end, we are excited to announce our upcoming series, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as a Public Health Strategy to Reduce Infectious Disease. This bi-monthly series aims to highlight the importance of clean indoor air in the fight against diseases.

We live in a world where new air challenges emerge daily. That's why IBEC and AIHA invite you to join us on August 17, 2023, at 5:00 PM EST. We need your voice, perspective, and ideas to help shape our collective strategy against harmful biological threats.

In our first session, we will set the stage for an engaging conversation on IAQ and how we can use it to combat disease transmission in our homes, workplaces, and public spaces. James Frederick from OSHA will share insights into their role in shaping IAQ standards and how these can help limit disease spread in occupational settings.

Joining the conversation, we'll have expert panelists who bring their wealth of knowledge on air quality, immunology, and ventilation. You'll hear from Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University representatives, the American Society for Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

Be part of the conversation. 

Let's explore how we can make our indoor air cleaner. Your involvement could be the breath of fresh air that paves the way for this new era in public health.

Confirmed Experts

1

James Frederick

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor
- OSHA

4

Donna S. Heidel, MS, CIH, FAIHA

Past President – American Industrial Hygiene Association

6

Dave Rowson

Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor Environments Division

2

Dr. Gigi Gronvall

Associate Professor of Public Health - Johns-Hopkins Center for Health Security

5

Dr. Joseph Allen, DSc, MPH

Assistant Professor of Exposure, Assessment Science - Harvard University

7

William Bahnfleth, PhD, PE, FASHRAE, FASME, FISIAQ

Professor of Architectural Engineering at Penn State and chair of ASHRAE Standard 241-Control of Infectious Aerosols

4 Comments

  1. daniel Mmereki on Aug 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm

    I would like to know how the exposure science can help in this regard..

  2. Ronald Mujende on Aug 15, 2023 at 2:26 am

    I am interested in attending this important discussion online on IAQ.

  3. Ivan Niranjan on Aug 15, 2023 at 3:07 am

    I am interested to learning more on Indoor air Quality, it is becoming a major challenge in the working and surrounding environment.

  4. Naser Obeidat on Aug 17, 2023 at 2:58 pm

    we need a clear message to Public Health Authorities around the world to be aware of this

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