Breath IN Symposium 2024: Advancing Knowledge on Indoor Air Quality and Well-being

The first Breath IN Symposium, which took place between 15 and 16 May 2024 at the University of Nicosia, brought together experts, researchers, and practitioners from across Europe to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in indoor air quality and its impact on human health and well-being.

The hybrid event began with an introduction to the Erasmus+ Breath IN project by Dr Cristina Andrade from the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, who outlined the initiative’s goals, while highlighting that the project represents a collaboration among four Higher Education Institutions across three European countries.

During her introduction, Dr Andrade mentioned that the Breath IN project originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired by the experiences of educators and students adapting to new teaching environments. Dr Andrade recounted how, during the pandemic confinements, she taught in large, poorly ventilated rooms where students often felt uncomfortable due to the cold and insufficient air quality. This experience, she noted, underscored the need for better understanding and managing indoor air quality, particularly in educational settings.

The roundtable discussion on “Indoor Air Quality and Well-being”, held on 16 May, featured several distinguished speakers from the University of Nicosia, who highlighted the interconnectedness of indoor and outdoor air quality and the need for natural ventilation, as well as advanced air purification technologies, despite potential trade-offs such as increased ozone production or increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels from certain filters.

Dr Chrysanthos Savvides, Head of the Air Quality and Strategic Planning Section of the Labour Inspection Department, Republic of Cyprus, joined the ensuing roundtable. Dr Savvides emphasised the absence of comprehensive indoor air quality standards, particularly for non-residential buildings, noting that current regulations only cover workplace environments and do not extend to schools and homes.

Key points from the roundtable included:

• The importance of developing indoor air quality standards beyond workplace environments to include schools and homes.
• IAQ or indoor environment quality affects well-being, and the academic and professional performance of students and faculty.
• The challenges in balancing air purification with energy efficiency and the potential introduction of new pollutants.
• The impact of external pollution sources on indoor air quality.
• The need for comprehensive regulations that consider the intricate dynamics of pollution sources and their effects on indoor environments.
• The significance of socioeconomic equality and societal acceptance in transitioning to cleaner practices.

Other topics addressed during the symposium included ideal lighting conditions for classrooms and homes; methodologies for monitoring air quality, lighting, and energy consumption; modelling of indoor air quality; and a preliminary assessment of potential climate change impacts in Iberia, Greece, and Cyprus. The symposium underscored the importance of rethinking our buildings and cities to become more sustainable and resilient to overcome the challenges of air quality and climate change.

Prof. Edna Yamasaki, at the School of Life and Health Sciences of the University of Nicosia, summed up the two-day symposium, citing the impact of indoor air quality and indoor environment on academic performance, health, and wellbeing, which she characterised as paramount. “With over 90 million students across Europe, it is the time for us to evaluate and help set up standards and guidelines to ensure a full academic experience”.

The symposium concluded with a consortium meeting on 17 May, where project partners discussed future research directions and collaborative efforts.