At See The Air, we have spent years advocating for a fundamental truth: clean air is a human right, and our children deserve the absolute best protection where they spend most of their day—inside the classroom.
That is why I am thrilled to share a massive milestone in global air advocacy. The Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS) has officially launched GO IAQS for Schools, a groundbreaking strategic plan designed to transform educational environments from passive shelters into active, health-protective zones.
For too long, policy regarding school air has relied on generic, “check-box” ventilation advice. GO AQS is changing the game by shifting the focus toward health-based performance metrics.
The Vision: “Same Air, Same Standards”
The core philosophy behind the GO IAQS for Schools initiative is beautifully simple: Same Air, Same Standards.
Air pollution and airborne pathogens don’t care about geography or economic status. This initiative aims for global adoption, ensuring that children in resource-limited settings are protected by the exact same high-performance metrics as those in the most developed economies. By replacing vague guidance with strict, science-based performance standards, the framework ensures air quality is maintained at levels that protect even the most clinically vulnerable students and staff (such as those managing asthma or compromised immune systems).
UPDATE: In international atmospheric science, particulate matter is strictly categorized by aerodynamic diameter to ensure precise toxicological communication. Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) refers to particles with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less, whereas Ultrafine Particles (UFPs) specifically define particles with a diameter of 0.1 μm (100 nm) or less. The confusion stems directly from South Korea’s localized legal and media definitions, where the term Mise-meonji (Fine Dust) is used exclusively to describe PM10, while Cho-mise-meonji (Ultrafine Dust) is used to describe PM2.5. By labeling PM2.5 as “ultrafine dust,” regulatory frameworks conflate two entirely different physical threats. True UFPs possess negligible mass but massive particle number concentrations, allowing them to cross biological barriers more easily. Attempting to manage public risk under this inverted vocabulary masks the lack of actual monitoring for true sub-micron particles.
The second issue is the lenient regulatory target. South Korea’s Indoor Air Quality Control Act sets the maximum allowable level of PM2.5 in public facilities at 40 μg/m3. While framed locally as a protective standard, this threshold remains remarkably high when compared to progressive baseline standards. For perspective, the GO IAQS Starter tier sets a stricter 24-hour limit of 25 μg/m3 specifically to lower the financial entry barrier for global air quality investments and ensure socioeconomic inclusivity.
In The Time Thief — The Broken Promise of Our Buildings and the Fight for the Air We Breathe, Simon Jones presents a sobering “manifesto” that unmasks a silent systemic failure within our modern built environment. While the title might initially evoke a sense of mystery, Simon meticulously explains throughout the narrative that the “Time Thief” is not a metaphor, but a literal description of how poor indoor air quality and structural failures rob us of our literal lifespan. By detailing the physiological and societal toll of the “invisible pollutants” that compromise human health, Simon justifies his chosen title, demonstrating how the very buildings intended to protect us are, in fact, stealing years of our lives.
Throughout the book, Simon anchors his argument in four fundamental truths that challenge our complacency regarding the built environment.
The Truth of the Inhalable Diet
One of the most striking “truths” shared by experts like Tanya Kaur Bedi is the concept of the “inhalable diet”. While society is obsessed with the quality of the 2,000 calories we eat daily, we largely ignore the 10,000 to 15,000 liters of air we consume every single day. This truth highlights a dangerous double standard: we would never accept lead-contaminated tap water, yet we routinely accept air filled with a “transparent chemical soup” of VOCs, particulates, and nitrogen dioxide.
The Truth of Compliance vs. Safety
A central theme discussed by experts like Nathan Wood and Chris Rush is the “race to the bottom” regarding building standards. The book argues that “compliant” does not mean “safe,” as minimum legal standards often become the maximum ambition for developers. This truth reveals a culture where ventilation is treated as a technical add-on or a “toaster” to be plugged in and forgotten, rather than a critical “life-safety system” comparable to a fire alarm.
The Truth of Data and Visibility
The book champions the “Data Truth” as a primary tool for accountability. Experts like Jenny Danson, myself and others emphasize that because poor air quality is invisible, it does not trigger the same visceral response as a visible threat like a mouldy wall. By using low-cost monitors to make the invisible measurable, residents and workers can finally demand healthier environments and move away from “tenant-blaming” toward evidence-based structural changes.
The Truth of Health Inequity
Perhaps the most painful truth Jones explores is the “postcode lottery” of air quality. Experts note that the ability to breathe clean air has become a luxury tied to wealth and geography, creating a “triple jeopardy” where the most vulnerable people often live in the most polluted, poorly maintained environments with the least power to change them. Jones and contributors like José Luis Castro argue that clean indoor air must be defended as a universal human right rather than a premium feature.
The Time Thief is ultimately an urgent call to break the silos between the medical community and the construction industry. It moves beyond technical jargon to present air quality as a moral issue, forcing us to choose between continuing to normalize building failure or taking collective responsibility for the air that literally shapes our lives.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in health, architecture, or social justice. It moves beyond technical jargon to present air quality as a moral issue, forcing us to choose between continuing to normalize building failure or taking collective responsibility for the air that shapes our lives.
In an era where the average person spends between 80% and 90% of their life inside buildings, ranging from homes and offices to schools and transport, indoor air quality (IAQ) has transitioned from a niche concern to a critical public health priority. The newly released 2025 publication, New Perspectives in Indoor Air Quality, by Pasquale Avino, Fabiana Carriera, and Gaetano Settimo, emerges as a definitive guide for experts navigating this complex landscape. This volume offers a profound synthesis of historical context, cutting-edge monitoring technologies, and future-proof mitigation strategies.
The Invisible Importance of Indoor Air
Indoor air pollution is not a modern phenomenon. Humans have grappled with indoor contaminants since the first campfires were brought into caves 1.5 million years ago. Historically, civilizations developed sophisticated methods to manage air: the Romans used hypocausts to circulate warm air under floors, while ancient Persians pioneered windcatchers, zero-energy towers that capture and redirect wind for natural ventilation.
Today, the stakes are higher. Poor IAQ is linked to a broad spectrum of health issues, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and neurological damage. The current global challenge lies in balancing energy-efficient, airtight building designs with the need for fresh, clean air.
As the global conversation around indoor air quality (IAQ) intensifies, the industry is moving toward a critical realization: data is only as good as our ability to understand it. Currently, the world of air quality monitoring is often fragmented, with different manufacturers and regions using varying metrics, languages, and benchmarks.
The centerpiece of this discussion will be the practical application of the GO IAQS Score. Developed to move away from fragmented communication, the GO IAQS methodology aims to provide a unified benchmark that allows for global understanding across diverse indoor environments—from classrooms in Bangkok to offices in Dublin.
During the session, Sotirios Papathanasiou and Achim Haug will take a deep dive into the strategic decisions made during the development of these standards. They will address one of the most significant challenges in the field: how to balance complex, high-resolution sensor data with the need for a simplified, actionable output that everyday users can trust and act upon.
We often think of air pollution as something that happens “out there”, smoggy skylines and exhaust fumes. However, for many of us, the most polluted air we breathe is actually inside our own homes. The good news? You don’t need a massive renovation to fix it. A few strategic changes to your daily habits can drastically reduce your exposure to harmful particulates and chemicals.
1. Master the Kitchen: Your Primary Pollution Zone
Cooking is frequently the #1 source of high particulate matter (PM2.5) indoors. Frying, searing, and even boiling on gas stoves release combustion byproducts and grease particles into your breathing zone.
The Fix: Always use your range hood on its highest effective setting. If your hood doesn’t vent outside (recirculating), open a nearby window to create cross-ventilation.
The Tip: Start the fan before you turn on the heat and leave it running for five minutes after you finish.
The world of air quality monitoring has long been dominated by bulky, desk-bound units. The AirSpot, a revolutionary small CO2 monitor, shatters that paradigm. Given to me by the CEO of The Safer Air Project, this device is not just a monitor—it’s a truly wearable environmental sensor that brings crucial air quality data right to your wrist or backpack.
Design, Portability, and Hardware
The AirSpot’s most immediate selling point is its diminutive size and featherlight weight. Measuring a mere 3.6cm x 4.8cm x 1.15cm and weighing only 17g (0.6 ounces), it is, to my recollection, the smallest CO2 monitor currently available. This size isn’t just a gimmick; it’s the foundation of its usability.
The device’s true genius lies in its ecosystem of accessories. AirSpot is unique in offering a wide range of mounting options, including a wristband that makes it genuinely wearable. I personally prefer the carabiner-style key ring case, which allowed me to easily clip it onto my backpack or belt—perfect for on-the-go monitoring.
Still a mystery, but here is what we have found so far. While the overall rate of lung cancer has been declining, a notable trend has emerged: lung cancer in people who have never smoked is increasing. This poses a challenge to the traditional understanding of the disease, which is heavily associated with tobacco use. Research suggests that for some, lung cancer in non-smokers is a distinct disease from that in smokers, driven by different factors and presenting in a different form.
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
A major contributing factor to lung cancer in non-smokers is exposure to environmental carcinogens.
In an era where indoor air quality and environmental safety are of a high importance, aranet has emerged as one of the leaders in providing reliable and intuitive monitoring solutions. See The Air has thoroughly reviewed several of aranet’s innovative products, each designed to empower individuals with crucial insights into their living spaces. From carbon dioxide levels to radon gas and even radiation, aranet offers peace of mind through precise and accessible data.
Most aranet monitors stand out by providing a holistic view of your environment, often including temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure alongside their primary measurements. This multi-parameter approach helps users understand the interplay of various factors affecting their indoor comfort and health.
The discussion around carbon dioxide (CO2) in indoor air quality (IAQ) often brings up a fascinating parallel to another long-standing debate: the health effects of eggs.
The Indisputable Value (Eggs & CO2 as Proxies):
Just as eggs are widely recognized for their nutritional value – a powerhouse of protein, vitamins, and minerals – CO2 in IAQ assessment holds an undeniable, practical value. We know that CO2 levels are incredibly useful as a proxy. They effectively signal ventilation rates, which in turn are crucial indicators for the potential airborne transmission of diseases and the presence of odors indoors. In this sense, CO2 is a vital tool for understanding and managing our indoor environments, much like eggs are a staple in many healthy diets.
See The Air 