IAQ Executive Addresses UN Climate Week

Tony Abate, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for AtmosAir Solutions, Fairfield, Conn., was a guest panelist during United Nations Climate Week, speaking on the issues of climate change, global warming and the need for greater attention to indoor air quality.

Abate, who served on the committee that authored ASHRAE's Standard 241—"Controlling Infectious Aerosols" — told the audience that attention to extreme heat and severe storms is important, but added that indoor air quality also demands greater attention.

Tony Abate

"Indoor air quality plays a vital role in maintaining our health and well being, since we spend most of our time inside homes and offices. The world learned of the importance of indoor air quality during the Covid pandemic and how the virus could spread through the air indoors," Abate said, adding that poor air quality can lead to respiratory issues, allergies and long-term chronic conditions. 

"Optimizing indoor environments with sustainable practices such as proper ventilation, low-emission materials and air-purifying plants not only reduces health risks but also lessens our environmental impact. Improving indoor air quality is an actionable step everyone can take toward a healthier, more sustainable future," Abate said.

Abate's message reflected an ongoing reality: that people tend to ignore the invisible materials that can occupy the air around them, and the affect those materials pose to human health. The more informed they become, the better they can begin to address potential air quality issues inside their homes and workspaces.

"As more people recognize the direct impact of the air we breathe indoors on our overall health, awareness becomes the catalyst for meaningful change," Abate said. "When individuals and organizations are informed, they are empowered to act — whether by adopting healthier habits, investing in improved ventilation, or advocating for better building standards. Awareness leads to practical solutions that can significantly improve our daily lives and contribute to a more sustainable world." 

Among the smart and cost-effective measures available to home and building occupants described by Abate are energy-efficient ventilation systems, regular home system maintenance, and sustainable building materials. "These solutions represent a win-win opportunity; protecting occupant health while delivering long-term economic and environmental benefits," Abate continued.

Abate shared with his audience that ASHRAE Standard 241 was the first standard to address criteria for optimal design and ongoing performance of healthy indoor spaces. He and others on the Standard 241 committee developed clear guidelines for ventilation, filtration and air cleaning to help ensure that buildings are equipped to maintain safe and healthy indoor environments, some of which can include high-tech air purification and monitoring technologies, including sensors that work around-the-clock.

"These advanced systems continuously track air quality metrics and automatically adjust filtration and ventilation to maintain optimal conditions," Abata explained. As a result, building occupants enjoy clean air, and property owners can better address potential issues and optimize energy use.

AtmosAir Solutions can be found online at https://www.atmosair.com/.