WellStat reposted this
This week's wildfire smoke enveloping parts of Canada and Northern U.S. is a reminder that buildings cannot just shelter us; they must help protect our health. When outdoor air quality deteriorates, the quality of the indoor environment becomes more important than ever. The decisions building owners and operators make—from ventilation and filtration to ongoing building operations—can significantly reduce occupants' exposure to wildfire smoke and other airborne pollutants. If you're managing a building today, a few practical steps as outlined in the WELL Building Standard can help: ‣ Keep windows and doors closed where appropriate. ‣ Maximize filtration by operating HVAC systems with high-efficiency filters compatible with your system. ‣ Ensure ventilation systems are operating as intended and postpone non-essential maintenance that could compromise indoor air quality. ‣ Monitor local air quality conditions and communicate with occupants when necessary. ‣ Use portable air purification units when HVAC is not available. Wildfire smoke events are becoming more frequent in many parts of the world. They underscore why healthier buildings aren't just about comfort—they're an essential part of protecting public health and building resilience for the future. Effective indoor air strategies can make a measurable difference. In this time-lapse video, IWBI Chief Engineer Nathan Stodola demonstrates how a portable air purifier reduced PM2.5 concentrations in a New York City residence from 90 μg/m³ during yesterday's wildfire smoke event to approximately half that level in just eight minutes. #IndoorAirQuality #HealthyBuildings #WildfireSmoke #PublicHealth #WELLCertified