Episodes

  • #34 - Corinne Mandin: The Science Behind Indoor Air Quality - Epidemiology, Public Health, and the Exposome
    Jul 29 2024

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    A conversation with Corrine Mandine

    I couldn't think of a better person to talk to about epidemiology and its place in the air quality discussion.

    We discussed this fascinating area of science, and if you have been following the podcast, you know we have had several conversations about the potential of an air quality observatory in the UK, and Corrine has direct experience with just this.

    She has been working on human exposure to chemical substances and physical agents and the related health effects, first at INERIS (French national institute for industrial environment and risks) for 8 years, and then at CSTB (French scientific and technical center for building) for 13 years.

    At CSTB, she coordinated the French Indoor Air Quality Observatory, a public research program created in 2001 to carry out nationwide surveys on air quality in buildings.

    In 2022, she joined the French Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), where she leads the radiation epidemiology group. This group conducts research on human health effects of occupational, medical or environmental exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation through large epidemiological studies.

    She has been involved in various European and international projects and expert committees, including at the World Health Organization and the European Joint Research Center. She is currently chairing the expert committee dedicated to outdoor and indoor air quality at the French Agency for
    Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses).

    She was president of the International Society for Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ) from 2020 to 2022. In 2022, she coedited the Handbook of Indoor Air Quality (Springer).

    Corrine Mandin - LinkedIn
    IRSN
    Indoor Air Quality Observatory

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    This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

    21 Degrees
    Lindab
    Aico
    Ultra Protect
    InBiot
    All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • #33 - Ian Walker: Enhancing Home Decarbonization and Air Quality - Practical Solutions, Behavioral Science, and Kitchen Ventilation
    Jul 22 2024

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    A conversation with Iain Walker

    Joining me from California the leader of the Residential Buildings team at Lawrence Berkley National Labs and ASHRAE Fellow Iain Walker. Leader and developer on standards and technical committees for ASHRAE, ASTM, RESNET, IEC, the IEA and other national and international organisations.

    Board member of IEA Annex 5 Air Infiltration and Ventilation Center for the US. And much besides.

    He also happens to be one of the reasons I started this podcast. He is one of my favourite people to talk to in this industry. You come away energised, usually a little wiser, and almost always having spent a couple of hours talking about something completely different from what you expected. However, importantly, you wish more people could have had a chance to listen.

    And that was one of the triggers for this, the Air Quality Matters Podcast.

    We discussed the intersection of sustainability and air quality, got massively diverted onto cooker hoods and probably need to do a part two at some point.

    Iain Walker - LinkedIn
    Iain Walker - LBNL

    Support the Show.

    Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more.

    This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

    21 Degrees
    Lindab
    Aico
    Ultra Protect
    InBiot
    All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

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    2 hrs and 10 mins
  • #32 - Iyad Al-Attar: Revolutionizing Urban Living - Prioritizing Air Quality for Healthier Cities
    Jul 15 2024

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    A conversation with Iyad Al-Attar

    We discussed the intersection of sustainable urban development and air quality and how zooming out from the building level brings a different perspective on air quality.

    As you might expect, we discuss the state-of-the-art and performance gaps in the filter sector.

    It was an expansive and fascinating conversation with a prolific figure in air quality and filtration in the industry.

    Iyad is a mechanical engineer, air quality consultant, and a visiting academic fellow at the School of Aerospace, Transport, and Manufacturing at Cranfield University.

    He is the strategic director, instructor, and advisory board member of the
    Waterloo Filtration Institute.

    In 2020, Eurovent Middle East appointed Dr. Al-Attar as the first associated consultant for air filtration and most recently he became the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) patron for EUROVENT.

    A strong advocate for global government to play a significant role in the governance of embedding air quality monitoring and enhancement as a pillar of the built environment.

    He is reading for an MSc in sustainable urban development for air quality inclusion at the University of Oxford, where his research addresses the importance of air quality inclusion as a rudiment of sustainable urban development.

    Iyad Al-Attar LinkedIn
    Waterloo Filtration Institute
    Eurovent
    Oxford University

    Support the Show.

    Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more.

    This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

    21 Degrees
    Lindab
    Aico
    Ultra Protect
    InBiot
    All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

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    1 hr and 59 mins
  • #31 - Douglas Booker: Bridging Socioeconomic Gaps in Indoor Air Quality - Environmental Justice, Community Involvement, and Sensor Technology
    Jul 8 2024

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    A Conversation with Douglas Booker

    Join us in this thought-provoking episode of the Air Quality Matters podcast, where we uncover the hidden links between indoor air quality and environmental justice with, Douglas Booker.

    A geographer, entrepreneur, and lecturer at the University of Leeds, Douglas dives deep into the unequal distribution of indoor air pollution and the urgent need for action despite gaps in our data.

    From discussing socioeconomic factors to the pivotal role of community involvement in research, Douglas offers a perspective on how environmental justice issues ripple across air Quality.

    Ever wondered why lower socioeconomic groups bear the brunt of poor indoor air quality? This episode tackles the complex web of procedural justice, highlighting disparities in indoor environments, especially in the UK.

    Douglas shares insights from initiatives like Born in Bradford, which combine air quality data with health outcomes to drive meaningful interventions. We emphasize the importance of informed consent, improved product labelling, and the critical need for affected communities to have a say in policy-making, ensuring that any solution is both just and practical.

    Douglas Booker LinkedIn
    Douglas Booker Leeds
    NAQTS
    Clean Air Champions UK
    Born In Bradford

    Support the Show.

    Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more.

    This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

    21 Degrees
    Lindab
    Aico
    Ultra Protect
    InBiot
    All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • #30 - Sotirios Papathanasiou: See The Air - Technological Advances, Health Impacts, and Future Trends
    Jul 1 2024

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    A conversation with Sotirios Papathanasiou

    This week, I spoke with one of the leading voices on air quality over the last half-decade.

    Sotirios has produced one of the must-read blogs over the last half-decade and published books on air quality for both adults and children. I have been following him for years, so we finally got to sit down and record this long-overdue conversation.

    We discussed how the view of air quality has changed and continues to change, and as a communicator in space, his perspective on this is fascinating.

    For several years, he has worked with a sensor manufacturer, and we discuss this middle tier of sensors that sit above low-cost sensors, their value in the market, and how this technology is developing, in particular, Particle Matter!

    Change is on the horizon for Sitirious, so this is a great opportunity to take stock of the last few years and what might be next.

    Support the Show.

    Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more.

    This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

    21 Degrees
    Lindab
    Aico
    Ultra Protect
    InBiot
    All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 24 mins
  • #29 - Baroness Natalie Bennett, Dr. Douglas Booker, Matt Towner, Professor Sarah West & Simon Jones: Uniting for Better Indoor Air Quality - Policy, Accountability, and Action Steps
    Jun 24 2024

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    What would you say to an incoming UK Government about air quality?

    Can poor indoor air quality make us sick? Absolutely, and it’s costing the UK billions.

    In this episode of Air Quality Matters, join me alongside a distinguished panel—Baroness Natalie Bennett, Dr. Douglas Booker, Matt Towner, and Professor Sarah West, as we untangle the web of public health issues tied to the air we breathe indoors. With political winds shifting, our conversation is timely and essential, revealing how better ventilation and stricter regulations could revolutionize how we live and work.

    The episode underscores the essential role of government intervention and the power of cross-party collaboration in tackling this crisis. Professor Sarah West emphasizes the urgency of holding landlords accountable for ensuring adequate ventilation, especially for vulnerable populations. Matt Towner makes a compelling case for systemic solutions, shifting the burden away from individuals and towards a holistic approach. Our dialogue concludes with an urgent call for clear governmental leadership and a strategic roadmap to enhance indoor air quality nationwide.

    From international examples like Japan's innovative use of CO2 monitors to Germany and Belgium's robust public awareness campaigns, we explore actionable strategies that the UK could adopt. The episode also delves into the benefits of systematic air quality monitoring, the role of environmental sensors, and the critical need for providing actionable guidance along with tools.

    Highlighting initiatives such as the Welsh government's Air Quality Act, we discuss how statutory targets can drive accountability and progress.

    Baroness Natalie Bennet - Linkedin
    Douglas Booker - Linkedin
    Sarah West - Linkedin
    Matt Towner - Linkedin

    Gaelan Komen - Linkedin
    Policy Connect

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    Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more.

    This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

    21 Degrees
    Lindab
    Aico
    Ultra Protect
    InBiot
    All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

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    58 mins
  • #28 Simon Jones: Big news on the podcast and some other things, including working with vunerable people.
    Jun 17 2024

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    Have you ever wondered how to make complex air quality systems understandable for everyone, especially those most vulnerable? Join me as I reflect on two major milestones: 20 rewarding years in Ireland and a first year of my consultancy.

    This episode is a personal journey through the pillars of my work—consultancy, communication, and diverse projects like teaching and course development. Plus, I share some updates about the podcast's successful effort over the past six months to bring essential conversations about air quality and the built environment to a wider audience. And some exciting news on some partnerships for the next 6.

    Communicating technical information to homeowners who may not fully grasp the systems being installed can be quite a challenge.

    That’s why we’re tackling the topic of vulnerability in ventilation communication head-on. This episode shines a spotlight on the ethical responsibility of companies to make their systems user-friendly and accessible. We'll discuss the necessity of clear communication, comprehensive support, and continual feedback to ensure everyone's air quality improves, regardless of their background.

    We turn to the Healthy Buildings Barometer 2024 , which offers critical insights into European homes and their impact on residents' health—and loads more besides.

    https://www.airqualitymatters.net/

    https://www.bpie.eu/publication/healthy-buildings-barometer-2024-how-to-deliver-healthy-sustainable-and-resilient-buildings-for-people/

    https://aivc2024conference.org/


    Support the Show.

    Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more.

    This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

    21 Degrees
    Lindab
    Aico
    Ultra Protect
    InBiot
    All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

    Show more Show less
    29 mins
  • #27 - Charles Weschler: Unpacking the Impact of Ozone on Indoor Air Quality and Health
    Jun 10 2024

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    A converation with Charles Weschler

    After completing his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Chicago, Dr. Weschler did postdoctoral studies with Prof. Fred Basolo at Northwestern University.

    In 1975 he joined Bell Laboratories as a research scientist in the Physical Chemistry Division. He conducted research at Bell Labs and its successor institutions until 2001 being named a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (1986).

    In 2001 he retired from Bellcore/Telcordia and accepted positions at the Environmental & Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, and the International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Technical University of Denmark. He has continued in those positions through the present. In 2010 he joined the faculty of the Building Science department at Tsinghua University (Beijing) as an ongoing Visiting Professor.

    He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Rutgers School of Public Health.

    He was a Member of the Committee on Air Quality in Passenger Cabins in Commercial Aircraft, National Academy of Sciences, 2000-2001;

    Advisor on Strategies to Protect the Health of Deployed US Forces, National Academy of Sciences, 1998-2000;

    Member of the Committee to Review the Structure and Performance of the Health Effects Institute, National Academy of Sciences, 1991-1993;

    And Member of the Committee on Advances in Assessing Human Exposure to Airborne Pollutants, National Academy of Sciences, 1987-1990.

    From 1999-2005 he served on the US EPA’s Science Advisory Board, and from 2012-2023 was an advisor for the Sloan Foundation’s Chemistry of Indoor Environments program.

    He was elected to the International Academy of Indoor Air Sciences in 1999 and received the Pettenkofer Award, its highest honor, in 2014.

    He has been conferred the 2017 Haagen-Smit Prize from Atmospheric Environment; “Distinguished Visiting Professor” at Tsinghua University (2018); “Doctor Technices Honoris Causa” from the Technical University of Denmark (2018); and was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2020, AAAS).

    We spoke about Ozone, it impacts on human health and the air chemistry in our indoor environments.

    And needless to say, if you go looking for information and papers on Ozone Charles Weschler if not an author will be cited somewhere.

    So it was a pleasure and honour to talk to Charles, who is an absolute gentleman and so generous with his time.


    Ozone is fascinating, never far from controversy and quite a naughty little pollutant by all accounts. It plays a fascinating role in our indoor environments.

    This is a really insightful episode and full of information, so strap in, get ready to Google some chemistry names, and enjoy.

    Charles Weschler - Lin

    Support the Show.

    Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more.

    This Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

    21 Degrees
    Lindab
    Aico
    Ultra Protect
    InBiot
    All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

    Show more Show less
    2 hrs and 1 min