News

September  2024

People now spend 90% of their time indoors, significantly more than past generations. Prioritizing home safety, especially concerning indoor air pollution risks, is crucial. 

Despite greater focus on outdoor air, indoor air quality is vital due to its impact on health. Household products and cooking emissions contribute to indoor pollution. 

The INGENIOUS project released a brief explaining these actions and emphasizes the importance of addressing indoor air quality for overall well-being. 

Download the brief for more information.

June 2024

This year, let's focus on enhancing the quality of the air we breathe, both indoors and outdoors.  But we all have a role to play. Here are a few things you can do:

• Ventilation: Pollutants generated indoors can accumulate if you don't ventilate your home, so try to open your windows regularly, especially if you're cooking or cleaning.

• Moderation: Avoid excessive use of products that we know can release pollutants indoors, such as scented candles, air fresheners, and other fragranced products. Always ventilate following use.

• Education: Look at the INGENIOUS website to find out more about the pollutants that can accumulate in our homes, and share this information with your friends and family.

Together, we can breathe easier and create healthier living environments.

Prof Nic Carslaw shares insight on indoor air quality and the INGENIOUS project in video. 

In commemorating the 2024 UK Clean Air Day, INGENIOUS was featured in an awareness video on why we should care about clean air. Find the video here.

The 2024 Clean Air Conference is now open for registration.

 The  ‘Analysis and Solutions: Responding to the Clean Air Challenge‘conference takes place at Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Birmingham on the 2nd and 3rd October 2024. The conference brings together air quality stakeholders to share knowledge and make connections. 

Interested in submitting an abstract? Contact contact@ukcleanair.org  before 30th April 2024. For more information and to register, click on the button.

INGENIOUS is holding a knowledge-sharing webinar looking at indoor air quality beyond the social housing sector, including privately rented and owner-occupied houses in the UK.

IAQ has become an increasingly important issue for residents and policymakers in the UK. The quality of the air we breathe indoors significantly impacts our health and well-being. In 2023, the UK passed the Social Housing Law, popularly known as Awaab’s law, and in January 2024, the UK government is calling for proposals to implement the law. Among other things, Awaab’s Law provides a framework to address issues like dampness and moulds in social housing.

No existing laws solely focus on indoor air quality in the UK, and the INGENIOUS project is hosting a webinar to discuss how IAQ improvements should cut across all housing types, from social housing to privately rented homes or owner-occupied properties. The webinar is designed to discuss the broader issues of IAQ beyond moulds and spores.

Click here to find out more and register.

In December 2023, the researchers from the INGENIOUS project published a protocol paper that uncovered a need for more knowledge regarding indoor air pollution and its impact on human health within UK homes.

In pursuit of providing an in-depth real-home assessment of indoor air quality, the team installed low-cost sensors in three rooms of 300 Born in Bradford households over two weeks to monitor indoor air pollutants continuously.  Residents must complete a comprehensive home survey and a health and behaviour questionnaire to capture a holistic picture of the participants' living environments. Furthermore, they are encouraged to record their daily household activities and any associated health symptoms during weekdays and weekends. In a subset of 150 households, a more intensive measurement regime is implemented, focusing on volatile organic compounds and particulate matter over three days.

The ongoing research has amassed data that will undergo rigorous analysis to explore the total concentrations of indoor air pollutants, their variations concerning building characteristics, and their potential correlation with health symptoms. With ethical approval granted by the NHS Health Research Authority Yorkshire and the Humber (Bradford Leeds) Research Ethics Committee (22/YH/0288), the INGENIOUS project is committed to disseminating its findings widely.

To find out more about this project, click here.

On December 8, 2023, the INGENIOUS project met with the Open Innovation Team (OIT), a cross-government unit that collaborates with experts to shape policies through analysis and innovative ideas. The meeting provided a platform to explore how INGENIOUS can effectively integrate its research and findings into policy and practice spaces. The meeting provided insight for a multipronged engagement approach to ensure its research leads to tangible outcomes in both policy and practice in the UK. The meeting served as a catalyst for refining INGENIOUS's engagement strategy and ensuring that its research findings translate into meaningful actions for policymakers, professionals, and the public.

As the world grapples with the challenges posed by climate change, it is crucial to consider the impact on indoor environments where people spend most of their time. Surprisingly, indoor human exposure to climate change has received relatively little attention. A study with INGENIOUS IAQ experts David R. Shaw and Nicola Carslaw and other scientists explores the Indoor Air Quality Climate Change (IAQCC) model—an innovative tool for estimating the influence of climate change on indoor air quality. 

The study, titled " Long-term prediction of the effects of climate change on indoor climate and air quality," was published in Elsevier in November and recommended it is crucial to prioritize indoor air quality and climate considerations as climate change progresses. 

Read the publication here.

On September 20th, INGENIOUS successfully conducted its final Impact Panel for 2023, centering around the presentation of current actions and research progress in Work Package 3 (WP3). The primary objective was to provide panel members with an opportunity to gain knowledge and offer valuable feedback, thus supporting subsequent practices aimed at enhancing public awareness and engagement. The Impact Panel comprised of decision makers from government, industry, and academia who actively contribute to the advancement of the research. 

During the session, the panel members, in support of the research, further emphasized the need to identify pollution triggers or hotspots and the evolving trends influenced by various factors such as population and biomass burning. By understanding these dynamics, we can effectively identify mitigating measures in safeguarding air quality in the UK.

In commemoration of UN Clean Air Day 2023, Sri Budisulistiorini, Sarah West, Ashish Kumar, and David Shaw provide insights on the shared responsibility to enhance indoor air quality.

 Read the perspective here.

In commemorating the 2023 UN Clean Air Day, INGENIOUS was featured in an awareness video on five things we can do to improve air quality and reduce air pollution. Find the video here.

A recent research study with INGENIOUS IAQ experts Terry Dillon, David R. Shaw, and Nicola Carslaw and other scientist has shed light on the complex chemistry of indoor air following cooking activities. The study, titled "A measurement and modelling investigation of the indoor air chemistry following cooking activities," published in the Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts journal, addressed the impact of indoor cooking on air quality. The research particularly looked at the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are gases that are emitted into the air during cooking and can significantly affect the indoor environment. 

The research on indoor air quality during cooking holds immense significance in our understanding of indoor air pollution and as a source of secondary pollutants indoors.  The full article can be found here. 

In a recent interview with Indoor Air Chemistry expert Professor Nicola Carslaw, the detrimental effects of indoor air pollution on human health were highlighted. Professor Carslaw, a prominent figure in the field, highlighted the absence of awareness and action regarding this pressing issue. She seeks to educate the public about the causes and effects of indoor air pollution by utilising her extensive research and knowledge. Read the interview here.

Over 120 Bradford residents have signed up for the real-time house study of indoor air quality, occupant behaviour, and health. INGENIOUS hopes to reach 300 target participants by March 2024, when data collection will be complete, through the partnership of the Born in Bradford family study team. The house survey is crucial to the INGENIOUS project because it provides real-time data on home pollution. The Born in Bradford team will install pollution sensors in 300 Bradford houses to quantify indoor air pollution, its kinds, and its health effects. Read here.

Dr. Daniel Bryant and Clare Nattress unveiled the York Air Map, an interactive map that offers real-time information on York's air quality, on August 12, 2923. It was an ambitious effort to provide citizens with real-time information about the air quality in their immediate surroundings.

Dr. Bryant, an atmospheric researcher at the University of York and co-lead in the development of the map, is a postdoc working alongside Professor Jacqui Hamilton. Prof. Hamilton is one of the co-leads for the INGENIOUS project's work package-2, which focuses on air quality measurements to help identify sources of poor indoor air quality. 

She says, "This project highlights sources of air pollution around York. As we further reduce emissions from vehicles, other pollutant sources will become important. There is increasing evidence that emissions from indoor sources, such as fragrances, personal care and cleaning products, and cooking, can have a large impact on outdoor air quality, leading to the formation of secondary particles and ozone. These are both harmful pollutants that can cause detrimental health effects."

The York Air Map was created with a user-friendly interface that is accessible on smartphones and computers.

Nic Carslaw, INGENIOUS PI, was interviewed by The National about the effectiveness of Hepa air filters, following public interest in their widespread use at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this month.

Nic said that, in the right circumstances, air cleaners with Hepa filters could reduce the spread of pathogens in rooms with several people. However, she expressed concern about the lack of standards for air cleaners. "The concern from me and lots of other people that work in the indoor air quality field is the complete lack of regulation around them," she said.

Nic also noted that noted that for many households, air cleaners were probably not necessary, as letting in fresh air from outside did the job just as well. And where they can offer benefits – such as in a classroom or a household in a polluted area – multiple factors determine their effectiveness.

The size of the air cleaner and its location will influence how well it cleans a particular space, but it may be difficult for a non-specialist to ensure a device is used most effectively. Proper maintenance, including changing filters if it is a filtration device, is also important.

"It’s not a simple thing, which is why I worry about a member of the general public buying one. You need to understand what you’re buying, and that information isn’t always provided by manufacturers."

Read the full article

INGENIOUS PI Nic Carslaw has gained £0.5M funding from the Wolfson Foundation (with further generous support from the University of York) to build her dream house: a new indoor air quality facility on the University’s Heslington East campus.

Following a design and planning stage starting from spring 2023, the INTERIORS (INTERdisciplinary Facility for IndOoR Air Quality ReSearch) facility will be constructed, instrumented and characterised and hopefully be fully operational by spring 2026.

The facility will be designed as a semi-detached house, with one side that is energy efficient and modern, the other more typical of traditional buildings. The integrated lab between the two buildings will allow the air quality in each side of the house to be monitored as identical activities are carried out under these different ventilation conditions. The facility will also have flexible interiors so the impact of design and internal furnishings can also be explored. 

Nic Carslaw, INGENIOUS PI, published a piece under this title in The Conversation on 15 December 2022 . In it she considers the ever-widening range of air-cleaning devices on the market: how effective they are and the issue that many generate undesirable chemical pollutants themselves.

Read the article

Thursday 27th October between 12:00pm - 3:00pm
The Mayfield Centre, Broadway Ave, Bradford BD5 9NP

This is a drop in event where you can speak to staff from various BiB research projects, including INGENIOUS. There may be a short presentation at the start of the session and there will be conversations about the work we are doing and some key findings.

Booking is not necessary and everyone is welcome to come along anytime between 12.30-3pm. Light refreshments will be available.

For more information please feel free to email: Aamnah.Rahman@bthft.nhs.uk

This online workshop aims to give healthcare professionals first hand insight into how technology can help patients who are vulnerable to air pollution.

Organised by West Midlands Health Technology Cluster (WMHTC) and Pollution Avoidance Support Systems (PASS).

Congratulations to Nic Carslaw who was elected as a Fellow of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ), the only new 2022 Fellow from the UK! 

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has funded three new research projects which will investigate how air pollutants in indoor spaces can adversely affect the health of the people inhabiting them. 

INGENIOUS (this project) will look at people living in urban homes. 

WellHome (West London healthy home and environment study) will investigate children with asthma 

Air pollution hazard identification platform is a project will to build a platform to identify the worst pollutants and establish their link with neurological disease.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

'Indoor air pollution is a critical public health issue.

Building our understanding and evidence base around it is essential so that any future action is appropriately targeted and effective.

The government is already taking important steps, including phasing out the sale of coal and wet wood, a major contributor to the emissions of fine particulate matter, and making it easier for local authorities to tackle emissions from domestic burning through our Environment Bill.

These projects will help add to our evidence base, building on the forthcoming report from our Air Quality Expert Group and guidelines published by Public Health England to help us all better understand this issue.'

Erika Ikeda has published a blog about the INGENIOUS project on the website of NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Yorkshire and Humber. Erika is a Senior Research Fellow of the Born in Bradford research programme and contributes to the INGENIOUS Real Home Survey (WP2) and Interventions (WP6). 

Read Erika's blog