Prescribed Indoor Environment Quality

HVAC industry experts shared insights on handling outdoor air, UVGI applications, and monitoring control techniques to eliminate contaminants to ensure a healthier and better future.

Studies have shown that indoor air can pose a greater health risk than outdoor air, and controlling pollution sources is an effective solution. Deactivating pollutants and contaminants is necessary to achieve clean air. Moving away from fossil fuels and utilising alternative natural sources like solar and wind power and fans instead of ACs can help prevent air pollution. Strategies for proper ventilation, filtration, and pollutant source management can improve indoor air quality, including using less toxic materials and fuels, less polluting industrial processes, and improving efficiency. Portable air cleaners or purifiers can also be helpful.

Cross-sensitivity to analyse gases and contaminants
According to Mr. Anubhav Gupta, CEO of Active Buildings, affordable sensing devices used in the commercial market often face a significant issue of cross-sensitivity. Although regulatory sensors are available, they cost up to a crore and a half rupee. Therefore, there is a need for affordable sensors that can detect and measure various sensor parameters accurately. However, achieving cross-sensitivity bias is challenging.

Some technology providers use a single sensing element to sense multiple sensor parameters, but this approach can lead to inaccuracies. To overcome this issue, it is necessary to use different sensing elements with higher sensitivity for each specific chemical. This means that at least two sensing elements are required, each element must be calibrated against a reference gas of that particular chemical. For instance, when measuring Total Volatile Organic Chemicals (TVOC), some manufacturers claim that their sensors are sensitised to TVOC. However, the sensor must be calibrated against a specific and known reference gas for accurate results. This approach helps to resolve cross-sensitivity across different chemicals. Therefore, having multiple sensors and using a reference gas for calibration is essential to accurately sensing specific chemicals in affordable sensing devices.

Significance of radon levels
Radon is a crucial parameter to be included in IAQ measurements, but its measurement is challenging and more challenging than other parameters. However, with technological advancements, measuring radon levels accurately will become feasible, just
like measuring CO2 levels. It may be expensive to monitor radon levels, but progress is being made in this area, and a low-cost radon sensor will be available in the future.

Cost reduction
Active Buildings have observed a 3 percent variation in electricity consumption annually. The consumption is slightly higher during the summer and monsoon seasons, while it remains almost the same during the winter. Although Mumbai doesn’t experience severe winters, the difference in consumption during winters is slightly lower than during summers. Without the interventions, such as using sensors and control over the ventilation and DOA system as per the pollution level, the annual bill would increase by around 7-8 percent.

Sensors to monitor mould and VOCs level
Mr. Suhel Parker, Director of IAQA India Chapter, says electronic monitors cannot monitor mould. Instead, samples must be collected using an air pump at a specific flow rate and sent to an accredited lab for analysis. The lab measures the density of mould by creating colony-forming units. If the quantity of mould is high, further investigation can identify the mould family. Bacteria and mould require different sampling methods as their bases are different. These tests must follow proper protocols and be sent to the lab for culturing and results. While electronic readings suit TVOC, different gases and machines require different tests. However, even though electronic readings may not be effective for monitoring mould, some measurement is still better than none.

OSHA requirements
OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is a set of legally binding guidelines implemented in the United States. Violation of these standards can result in legal consequences due to negligence. Although these standards are absent in India, following some standards rather than having none at all is beneficial. As a developing country, India faces unique challenges, such as more severe indoor air pollution than outdoor pollution. In Delhi, for instance, the oxygen level has dropped to 18. Due to these differences, applying OSHA standards in India may not be feasible, but there is still a need to establish certain benchmarks and standards. India should adopt more advanced countries’ standards to address its concerns.

Air pollution on the construction sites
There are specific protocols to be followed during construction activities as they can lead to high levels of dust that can adversely affect the environment. In India, the hot and dry climate exacerbates this issue. It is essential to take measures to wet the area to reduce the amount of dust generated. There needs to be monitoring or fining systems in India to enforce compliance with construction site protocols, which mainly focus on human safety hazards rather than environmental safety. To address this issue, laws must be created and enforced, and the public must be made aware of the regulations and encouraged to demand action. It is crucial to involve all stakeholders, including the government, developers, and the public, to ensure that construction activities follow established protocols and do not negatively impact the environment.

Mr. Richie Mittal explained, “In India, there is a growing green building movement, and it is mandatory to take all necessary precautions during construction to comply with regulations. While not all construction sites follow these regulations, many commercial establishments opt to go green to receive extra incentives. Additionally, it is mandatory to follow pollution control protocols around construction sites.” “The focus is often on monitoring pollutants such as CO2 and VOCs, but the importance of oxygen is often overlooked. The use of oxygen concentrators in offices and similar spaces can increase productivity by reducing feelings of lethargy and promoting a sense of excitement,” said Richie Mittal.

Impact on ozone levels
Mr. Richie Mittal has raised concerns about emission and emphasised the importance of addressing PM 2.5 as a major contributor to poor air quality. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of awareness and implementation of air quality standards in India, with only a few buildings maintaining indoor air quality despite the existence of the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning’s upgraded standard on indoor environmental quality. While COVID-19 has highlighted the significance of fresh air, there is still a long way to go in improving air quality in India.

Mr. Anubhav Gupta has provided a briefing on the ISHRAE standard established in 2016, which serves as a guiding principle for the environmental quality monitoring industry. This standard outlines protocols for monitoring air, water, and lighting quality, including which sensors to use, their accuracy and sensitivity. It is globally recognised as one of the most rigorous standards for indoor environmental monitoring. It goes beyond air quality to encompass the overall indoor environment.

Filter technology to raise the clean air standards
Maintenance is a significant problem for industries in India. Mr Ravi Kaushik, CEO of AiRTH mentioned, “The filters used are designed to be used for one year and washed only three or four times. However, they are often used for up to five years and are cleaned monthly. Although this is understandable at an industrial level, individuals should prioritise protecting their families at home. Unfortunately, many people in India are unaware of what PM 2.5 levels of 200 or 300 mean, as there are no clear benchmarks or reference points.

Consequently, people are still determining how to address this issue, and air purifiers are not a habit for many. The news highlights the issue when it becomes deadly, prompting people to purchase air purifiers, but many do not use them regularly. While people have the means to buy air purifiers, they are not aware of the importance of periodically monitoring the air quality in homes and offices.”

In short, industries must prioritise maintenance. Individuals should aim to protect their families by raising awareness of the dangers of air pollution and promoting healthy habits such as monitoring air quality and using air purifiers. By establishing clear benchmarks and reference points, people can better understand the issue and take appropriate action. It is crucial to prioritise clean air for the health and well-being of all.

New technologies for managing IAQ in large spaces
Mr. Abhinav Gupta mentioned, “We often recommend new technologies to people, and the best way to test them is to monitor air quality before and after use. For home appliances, the effectiveness can only be understood by trying them out in the surrounding air. The most important metric to monitor when testing new technologies is air quality. Filters are a tried and tested technology that always works well.” However, there are newer technologies like ozone generating, bipolar ionisation, photocatalytic oxidation or UV-based systems that are not filter-based but chemical substrate-based. It’s important to understand the byproducts of such systems. Some ionisation methods generate no ozone, while others produce a lot of ozone, which is harmful to our lungs and should not be present in indoor environments. California has a law limiting the amount of ozone that ionisation purifiers can generate, indicating a lack of awareness regarding their effects on indoor chemistry. Conclusively, raising awareness about IAQ among designers, specifiers, and property owners is essential.

Affordable sensing devices used in the commercial market often face a significant issue of cross-sensitivity. Using different sensing elements with higher sensitivity for each specific chemical is necessary to sense specific chemicals in affordable sensing devices accurately. Radon is a crucial parameter to be included in Indoor Air Quality (IQA) measurements, but its measurement is challenging. In addition, following some standards rather than having none is beneficial in India, as it faces unique challenges, such as more severe indoor air pollution than outdoor pollution. It is also essential to involve all stakeholders, including the government, developers, and the public, to ensure that construction activities follow established protocols and do not negatively impact the environment.

Mr. Suhel Parker, Director, IAQA India Chapter.
“It would be advisable for India to adopt the standards of more advanced countries to address its concerns.”

Mr. Ravi Kaushik, CEO, AiRTH – IIT Bombay, Antimicrobial Air Purification Technology
“Industries must prioritise maintenance, and individuals should aim to protect their families by raising awareness of the dangers of air pollution and promoting healthy habits such as monitoring air quality and using air purifiers.”

Mr. Richie Mittal, Managing Director, Overdrive Engineering Pvt. Ltd.
“COVID-19 has taught us a lot about the importance of fresh air, but there is still a long way to go in improving air quality in India.”

Mr. Abhinav Gupta, CEO, Active Buildings.
“The ISHRAE standard is a guiding principle for the environmental quality monitoring industry. It outlines protocols for monitoring air, water, and lighting quality, including what types of sensors to use, their accuracy and sensitivity.”

Mr. Ashu Gupta, Managing Partner, Design2Occupancy Services LLP.
“With the ability to provide precise control over the temperature, humidity, and air quality, VRF systems offer numerous benefits to building occupants, including improved comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality.”

Mr. Amit G. Patil, Regional Manager, MechmaarkFiltech India Pvt. Ltd.

“Utilising UV rays, UV air filters purify the air by killing harmful bacteria and viruses, allowing clean air to flow into the HVAC system for
circulation.”