According to the WHO,
air pollution is responsible for
seven million deaths per year
91% of the global population are breathing polluted air which is being increasingly linked to a growing number of serious illnesses. Ambient air pollution increases the risk of diseases in the heart and lung and can reduce life expectancy.
Economical impacts
Along with the obvious impact on occupant’s health and wellbeing, there are real economic consequences. In another recent study, a survey of 100 office buildings in America, 23% of office workers experienced frequent symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome. The full impact was hidden in sick days, lower productivity and medical costs. The economic impact is enormous, with an estimated decrease in productivity of around 2% nationwide, this is adding up to an annual cost to the United States of approximately $60 billion.
Thermal comfort
Green Building Consultants and Architects across Asia, Australasia and Africa are increasingly designing Electronic VAV diffusers into their sustainable building projects. At the outset, the capital savings from the reduction in ductwork and BMS installations can be significant. Throughout the life of the building, electronic VAV diffusers help to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature in zones of occupancy. This eliminates any uncomfortable thermal conditions which are proven to affect productivity in the workplace.
Monitoring indoor air quality
Filtration levels are always considered within the air handling system but how do we know if it’s effective? Future buildings should consider air quality monitoring systems which, incorporated within the building services design can detect a wide array of commonly found air pollutants.
Working as an integral part of the ventilation system, these sensors should be able to identify an issue before Sick Building Syndrome occurs, increasing airflows and filtration and alerting facilities maintenance teams.
The initial cost of such systems can be considered high by developers or landlords, or maybe even a luxury, but if we consider the ongoing savings in improved productivity, reduced sickness, improved morale, employee retention and improved planned maintenance.
Global awareness and change
Since the first United Nations conference on climate change nearly fifty years ago, the world has changed. Huge progress has been made in raising global awareness on sustainability.
Air Pollution is now recognised as a global threat to people, animals and our environment and over the decades this has led building designers to continuously look towards sustainably driven companies for more sustainable products to go into their buildings.
The air movement market has also progressed considerably since 1972. With the introduction of high efficiency fans, higher filtration, demand control, advanced thermal comfort technologies and air sensing technologies our industry is playing a big role in assisting designers of sustainable buildings to provide Sustainable Air Movement solutions.