Influence of ventilation design on the prevalence of anti-microbial bacteria in homes

Lead Research Organisation: Glasgow School of Art
Department Name: Mackintosh School of Architecture

Abstract

This project will investigate how contemporary housing design affects the indoor microbiome, and what the effects of this might be on anti-microbial resistance. In the early 19th century, the way that houses were designed led to considerable improvements in public health, largely as a result of improvements in sanitation, but also access to fresh air and sunlight. In recent years however, commercial interests and building legislation have largely dictated design issues. During this time the ways that buildings have been designed and constructed has changed significantly, mainly as a response to issues of climate change. Improved thermal performance and increasing airtightness has been able to isolate the building from the external environment. Whilst this will have benefits in terms of reduced carbon dioxide emissions, lower running costs and better comfort, it is becoming increasingly clear that levels of ventilation, and consequent standards of indoor air quality (IAQ) are reducing and there is emerging evidence that this might have negative health impacts. Whilst there are a number of dimensions to IAQ, one area that has not been researched is the prevalence and nature of microorganisms. People - especially vulnerable groups such as the old and very young - spend a great deal of time in the home, and so any change to the indoor microbiome may significantly affect occupants' health. There is a concern that isolation from the outside environment may reduce diversity and result in proliferation of harmful microorganisms, including those that have anti-microbial resistance. This study aims to close this gap in knowledge by undertaking an assessment of contemporary housing to determine the ventilation characteristics and relate this to the presence and nature of microorganisms in the home, with the specific aim of identifying factors that would impact on the presence and proliferation of anti-microbial resistant microorganisms. It anticipated that this could lead to changes in the way that we design buildings, in particular ventilation provision, and the project will aim to address this through a programme of academic, industry and public dissemination.

Planned Impact

This study has the potential to change the way that housing is designed, and consequently affect occupant health. Specifically, the study could lead to the development of 'bio-informed' design that reduces the risk of AMR (and other health factors) in homes. Given that housing is a ubiquitous built form, the impacts of this could be very significant.

The study will begin to develop a more robust evidence base for the health effects of ventilation in homes. This can be used to develop design guidance for architects and clients that can inform design. It also provides a basis for revised legislation on building standards - the present regulations state that homes should not adversely affect the health of occupants. However, there is no health evidence or consequent metrics available to support this. The information produced by the study can be used by designers and clients to identify design standards and best practice. The identification of health impacts (and costs) of design decisions helps to establish a case for improved design quality and investment to produce better outcomes. This could lead to use of design as a preventative measure, to reduce health costs and risks.

The study has the potential for significant impact through the contribution to an evidence base for building standards for ventilation. There are precedents for this in terms of other buildings such as hospitals. Design of housing was used to improve health in the early 19th century, and this work could contribute to a contemporary knowledge base here which would facilitate improvements in health and well-being.

If the study can identify associations between housing design, ventilation and AMR, then there will be a significant public health and clinical impact. The study will provide initial evidence as to whether homes are likely to be a significant community reservoir for AMR bacteria. If we find that this is the case, the outcomes have a substantial influence on future AMR policy. Impacts would be medium to long term and could range from recommendations around ventilation use, cleaning and hygiene, to the use of design to reduce the risk from infection and so reduce reliance on antibiotics.

The outputs of the study will also be used to increase public awareness of ventilation, indoor air quality and AMR in homes, through public dissemination, information sheets, advice to clients and landlords for tenants and owners, and through media - previous work undertaken by both the MEARU and the Leeds investigators has led to BBC news and national newspaper coverage which has had considerable public impact.

The study will also produce an evidence base for use by key groups and advocates, particularly those concerned with health and well-being issues, e.g. charities for older people, COPD, asthma. It may also be used in clinical and GP diagnosis to identify risks of home environment on the efficacy of drug treatments, risks of re-infections, etc.
 
Description Information has informed participation in UK Government Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, Environmental and Modelling sub group and subsequent Uk and Scottish Government policies including Scottish Government EESSH2 review group - Fabric and Hard to Treat Properties, Scottish Government Adaptations Advisory Committee and Expert Panel Member, Cabinet Office Technical Advisory Panel to UK Government Departments
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Construction,Education,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice
Impact Types Policy & public services

 
Description Expert Panel Member, Cabinet Office Technical Advisory Panel to UK Government Departments
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact Ventilation Technical Advisory Panel Terms of Reference 1. These Terms of Reference set out the purpose, coordination and operation of the Ventilation Technical Advisory Panel recommended by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser. 2. This Panel aims to enhance XHMG understanding of and expertise on implementing ventilation as part of infection-resilient environments - providing ideas, critique and insight on departmental ventilation plans covering relevant settings / sectors. The emphasis is on implementation rather than theory. Aims and objectives 3. The Panel aims to provide a forum to: a. Support departments to operationalise and implement government and industry advice and guidance on ventilation - addressing the more specific technical and practical recommendations to reduce airborne transmission risk; b. Build greater understanding of the challenges of improving ventilation across departments and settings, and the potential solutions. c. Provide friendly, critical challenges to departmental implementation plans at an earlier or more advanced stage. Governance and membership 4. The first three meetings will be Chaired by John Fitzpatrick, Director of the Education and Wider Public Services directorate in the Cabinet Office Covid-19 Task Force and are likely to be on a monthly basis. The group will then be reviewed after the first three meetings have taken place. 5. The Group includes representatives from a range of appropriate technical specialisms, including academia, engineering, building safety, air quality and infection control. 6. Draft policy papers, guidance or reports are shared with members for the sole purpose of obtaining expert challenge, review or advice. They may not represent Government policy or the Government's final conclusions on any matter. Draft papers shared with Panel members must not be disclosed further without specific permission being granted. Ventilation group meetings will be held at the classification [OFFICIAL SENSITIVE]. 7. Virtual Technical Advisory Panel members may speak to the media in their individual capacity as experts but the content of Virtual Technical Advisory Panel meetings and papers or correspondence shall remain confidential. 8. The role of the Virtual Technical Advisory Panel Secretariat is to support the Virtual Technical Advisory Panel in providing technical advice. This will include coordinating the Virtual Technical Advisory Panel work programme, managing membership and recording
 
Description Indoor Air Quality at home: Quality Standards Advisory Committee, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Public Health Advisory Committee on Indoor Air Quality
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Many people know about the health risks caused by outdoor air pollution. But how often do we think about the effects of the air we breathe at home? Air pollutants in the home range from mould spores caused by dampness to toxic fumes from gas cookers, open fires, candles or wood burners. They also include allergens from house dust mites and vapours from household sprays, cleaning materials, paintwork and furnishings. Poor air quality at home can lead to discomfort like a tickly throat, blocked nose or watery eyes, but it can also trigger illnesses like asthma, allergies or a heart condition. People who spend more time at home, for example young children and frail older people, are particularly vulnerable. But others are at risk too, including pregnant women and their unborn babies, people with a heart or lung condition, and people living in poor quality housing. We want this guideline to help everyone to live in homes with the best possible air quality by making sure: every local authority has a plan for improving the air in people's homes local authorities raise awareness about poor air quality at home among professionals who can help tackle the problem, and the public professionals like housing officers, healthcare staff and social workers know how to spot people at risk from poor air quality - and how to help them get a housing assessment or home inspection people know what practical steps can improve the air at home, like using an extractor fan when cooking architects, designers, builders and contractors comply with building standards when working on both new and existing homes, and follow manufacturers' instructions on how to use paints, adhesives, solvents and other materials that can pollute indoor air property managers and landlords meet their responsibilities to help prevent problems from indoor air pollution for their tenants.
URL https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng149/informationforpublic
 
Description Invited member UK Government Advisory group: Government's review of guidance available to the housing sector on the health effects of damp and mould. Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact Everyone has the right to a warm, secure and decent home and to be treated with dignity and fairness. Yet many people in England are living in a home with damp and mould, which may put their health at risk. Estimates of the number of homes in England with damp and mould range from 4% to 27% of homes, or 962,000 to 6.5 million households.[footnote 1] [footnote 2] The reported figure varies due to differences in how damp and mould is measured and how it is reported. People living in private or social rented housing are more likely to live in a home with damp and mould than are owner occupiers.[footnote 1] [footnote 2] In December 2020, 2-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a severe respiratory infection caused by prolonged exposure to damp and mould in his home. This guidance has been produced in response to concerns raised by the Coroner following an inquest into Awaab's death. In particular, it addresses the concern that 'there was no evidence that up-to-date relevant health information pertaining to the risks of damp and mould was easily accessible to the housing sector'. This guidance highlights the serious risks that damp and mould can pose to tenants' health, the imperative to respond quickly, and the practical steps that should be taken both to address damp and mould and prevent them. More specifically, the guidance: provides an overview of the potential physical and mental health effects of living in a home with damp and mould summarises the groups that are particularly vulnerable to more severe health impacts sets out relevant regulation and the legal responsibilities of landlords in relation to damp and mould in homes in England makes recommendations as to what landlords should consider when responding to reports of damp and mould makes recommendations as to what landlords can do to reduce the likelihood of damp and mould developing in homes The use of this guidance will help to improve standards in rented homes and prevent harm to tenants. This guidance was developed by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in partnership with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). It was developed with an advisory group of experts in housing, health and damp and mould, along with engagement with a wider group of experts and representative organisations. For further details see Annex A: how the guidance was developed. This guidance is part of a suite of work government is undertaking to secure better standards in rented accommodation. As forthcoming legislation and standards are introduced, this guidance will be updated.
URL https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/damp-and-mould-understanding-and-addressing-the-health-ri...
 
Description Member, World Health Organisation High-Level Expert Group on COVID-19
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact HIGH-LEVEL EUROPEAN EXPERT GROUP PROPOSING A ROADMAP TOWARDS STABILIZATION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE EUROPEAN REGION: With the current knowledge and understanding of the pandemic it is possible to lay out a strategic framework towards stabilization of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. We propose to define "stabilization" as "having passed the previous season without major disturbances of the health care system due to COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, as a reflection of a much less harming transmission to people." In its report last May, the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response has suggested that we should not stay in a reacting mode but consider strategies towards stabilization of the Covid pandemic. The strategic shift should start at regional level which may more easily transcend political, economical and geopolitical divides and federate pandemic stabilization efforts. The High-Level European Expert Group convened by the Regional Director indentified thirteen updated objectives as strategic directions towards COVID-19 stabilization in Europe with the twin purposes of providing aspirational targets for the region and concomitantly recommending a pragmatic approach based on the use of existing and new tools to come. These operational recommendations have been issued on September 05, 2021, and updated in October, November, and December 2021 based on evolving knowledge. This document may be revised and updated again in the upcoming weeks or months, while the High-Level European Expert Group continuously monitors new evidence. The present document acknowledges the five "key stabilizers" proposed by the Regional Director in the way it is now presenting its recommendations to the WHO Regional Office for Europe:
 
Description The Effects of Indoor Air on Children's Health Across the Lifecourse Working Group
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Topic Expert, National Institute for Clinical Excellence Public Health Advisory Committee on Indoor Air Quality
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description • Presented evidence in the House of Commons at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Healthy Homes and Buildings round table evidence session (21/11/2017) on 'How to Improve the Evidence Case for Healthy Homes and Buildings'
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
 
Description Breathing City: Future Urban Ventilation Network
Amount £507,945 (GBP)
Funding ID NE/V002082/1 
Organisation Natural Environment Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2020 
End 08/2024
 
Description Evaluating Options and Outcomes in The Retrofit of pre-1919 Glasgow Tenement Housing: A Demonstration Project.
Amount £250,000 (GBP)
Organisation Government of Scotland 
Department Scottish Funding Council
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2020 
End 10/2024
 
Description Glasgow Environmental Monitoring of Indoor and Outdoor Air (GEMINOA).
Amount £717,642 (GBP)
Funding ID HORIZON-CL5-2023-D4-01 
Organisation ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability 
Sector Public
Country Germany
Start 04/2023 
End 06/2025
 
Description Monitor and visualise domestic pollution to safeguard health, Phase 2, Measure, inform, nudge: an integrated, human-centric air quality measurement and visualisation system
Amount £298,228 (GBP)
Organisation arbnco Limited 
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2021 
End 07/2022
 
Description National Core Study: Covid Transmission, Theme 2, WP 2.3 - Environmental monitoring.
Amount £464,600 (GBP)
Organisation Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2020 
End 12/2023
 
Description Collaboration on IEA EBC Annex 86 'Energy Efficient Indoor Air Quality Management in Residential Buildings' 
Organisation International Energy Agency (IEA)
Country France 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Named international partner, contributing to subtask 1 (Metrics and development of an IAQ management strategy rating method), subtask 2 (Source characterization and typical exposure in residential buildings) and subtask 4 (Ensuring performance of smart ventilation).
Collaborator Contribution Networking opportunities, international collaboration
Impact Multidisciplinary collaboration, including engineers, ventilation specialists, indoor air science, policy makers, manufacturers, environmental health professionals, building designers and measurement science.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Collaboration with the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Invited to join the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings, Co-chair of the Ventilation sub-group
Collaborator Contribution The UKCMB is an independent, not for profit, public good organisation run by University College London, the Building Research Establishment (BRE), Heriot Watt University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The UKCMB works in a rigorous and transparent manner together with partners from academia, government, industry and the public to substantially improve the way moisture risk is understood and managed in the UK. Prof. Sharpe has been invited to become part of the Centre and is co-chair of the Ventilation Sub-group
Impact The Centre is currently developing project proposals and funding bids.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Collaboration with the UK Indoor Environments Group (UKIEG) 
Organisation UK Indoor Environments Group
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The research team hosted the annual UKIEG 2017 Conference at the Glasgow School of Art on 26th April 2017, which coincided with the HEMAC network event (25th April). One of the research team members (McGill) was subsequently elected as UKIEG committee member.
Collaborator Contribution Support from the UKIEG Committee helped to promote the HEMAC events and attract high profile speakers and participants.
Impact i) Hosting of UKIEG annual conference (26th April 2017), ii) Elected as UKIEG committee member
Start Year 2017
 
Description 2022 - Chair, Scottish Government Adaptations Advisory Committee 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact 2022 - Chair, Scottish Government Adaptations Advisory Committee
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description CPD events 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation to Maccreanor Leavington Architects, London 18th Jan 2018. Building tight - ventilating right? Changing standards have led to the design of more thermally efficient and airtight housing, but have our approaches to ventilation kept pace? Are there gaps between design expectation and actual performance? This talk will present results from a range of studies that that have invested issues of ventilation and indoor air quality in contemporary housing.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Cabinet Office - Ventilation Technical Advisory Panel 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Cabinet Office is convening a Ventilation Technical Advisory Panel to assist HMG / departments in developing appropriate sector plans on ventilation issues, following a recommendation made by Sir Patrick Vallance. The key aim is to enhance understanding of and expertise in implementing ventilation as part of an infection-resistant environment. This group provides expert advice to Government Departments on issues and policies related to ventilation and health
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
 
Description Engaging Parliaments with Research Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Selection of McGill, G in Engaging Parliaments with Research Workshop, part of AHRC GCRF-focussed "Mobilising Global Voices 2019" International Development Conference, Houses of Parliament, Friday 1st March [funded by AHRC]
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description HEMAC-FUVN Ventilation Policy Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Policy workshop undertaken at Westminster with industry representatives and participation from BEIS and BRAC - workshop focused on expert advice to current Building Regulations consultation
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Housing and child health: why we can't ignore this any longer 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Housing and child health: why we can't ignore this any longer (2020). Keynote speech, 'Hot topics in paediatrics: wider determinants of child health' Conference, Alder Hey Hospital 27/09/2019
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Indoor Air Quality & Ventilation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Delivering Healthy Homes: Indoor Air Quality & Ventilation with Tim Sharpe (2020) GHA Delivering Healthy Homes: Online Tutorial Series - Indoor Air Quality & Ventilation, Good Homes Alliance 30/6/20
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Interview for BBC news and other media 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000sfk6
19/2/21
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Invited Expert member, BSi Development Group, BS 40102-1, Health and wellbeing, thermal comfort, indoor air quality and overheating in buildings - Part 1: Health and wellbeing in buildings 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The proposed standard is intended to be referred to, either normatively or informatively, by future editions of the two overarching retrofit standards PAS 2035 and PAS 2038.

It is proposed to develop a standard in two parts.

Part 1 Health and Wellbeing in Buildings

This part will give recommendations for the measuring, monitoring and reporting of the well-being and IEQ performance of an occupied building and the associated building services. It will provide an evaluation and rating system, the aim of which is to enhance indoor environmental quality (IEQ), to create healthier buildings and improve the well-being of building occupants; including but not limited to staff, visitors, tenants and customers. The IEQ performance score generated as an outcome of this evaluation will provide organizations with a benchmark score which can be used to identify areas of below par performance and enable improvements to be made accordingly.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
URL https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/9021-05970#/section
 
Description Invited Expert member, BSi Development Group, BS 40102-1, Health and wellbeing, thermal comfort, indoor air quality and overheating in buildings - Part 1: Health and wellbeing in buildings 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited Expert member, BSi Development Group, BS 40102-1, Health and wellbeing, thermal comfort, indoor air quality and overheating in buildings - Part 1: Health and wellbeing in buildings
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description MAGIC Partners Meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited presentation to MAGIC Partners Meeting
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Member of World Health Organisation High-Level Expert Group on COVID-19 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact High-Level Expert Group on COVID-19 in the WHO European Region. The group has recently recommended to the Regional Director for WHO Europe to promote ventilation in close areas, and he decided to rank this proposal among the top 5 priorities for European governments in their willingness to move towards stabilization of the pandemic. The group requested some expert advice on this recommendation to make it the most pragmatic and operational.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022,2023
 
Description Participation in UK Government Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, Environment and Modelling sub group 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Providing expert advice to SAGE-EMG
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021,2022,2023
 
Description Scottish Government EESSH2 review group - Fabric and Hard to Treat 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Scottish Government has launched a consultation to invite views on proposals for a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard, which will replace EESSH2. The consultation can be accessed here Consultation on a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard and it will be live until 8 March 2024.

We established the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH2) Review Group with the social housing sector to undertake a review of the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing post 2020, bringing it in line with the Scottish Government's net zero target, and our guiding principles of a just transition that is fair to everyone and leaves no one behind.

The EESSH2 review is required because the current 2032 milestone is not aligned with net zero targets for heating. To meet our net zero target, by 2045 all homes in Scotland must have significantly reduced their energy use, and almost all must be using a zero direct emissions heating system.

Recognising the Zero Emissions Social Housing Taskforce report calls for a Fabric First approach as an essential first step, the EESSH2 review is considering energy efficiency measures, together with clean heating systems and how these can be integrated in making more climate resilient homes, in a way that is affordable for tenants and protects those in fuel poverty.

Acknowledging the need for the sector to have clarity whilst the review is under way, the Scottish Government has issued interim guidance for social landlords to be the sector for during the interim period until a new standard is established.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023,2024
 
Description Scottish Government Short Life Working Group on Ventilation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good ventilation as a COVID mitigation baseline measure and the increasing importance of ventilation as we step away from other mitigations. Improved ventilation reduces the risk of transmission of Covid (and other viruses) within business and public sector premises and supports sustained opening, and therefore contributes to wider Covid recovery. However, we need a better understanding of the state of ventilation across a range of buildings and what remedial actions may be necessary where improvements are required.
The purpose of the short life working group is to provide advice and make recommendations to the Scottish Government on actions to improve ventilation and therefore support the creation of infection resilient environments.
Due to the broad range of issues to be considered and time pressures, it may be necessary to have specialist sub groups of the SLWG or to invite experts to provide advice and support on specific issues.
In delivering its purpose the group will take into consideration emerging evidence from SAGE, SAGE EMG and other relevant groups. A separate group, within SG Health, has been established which is focussing on ventilation in health-care settings and will report to the SG in the autumn. Findings and learning from this group will also be taken into consideration when considering non-health care settings.
The outputs from the SLWG will be used to inform and support delivery of critical policy work across the Scottish Government to optimise the improvement of ventilation in non-healthcare settings.
The group is expected to oversee a 6-12 month programme of work addressing short to medium term priorities, developing long term ambitions, supporting private and public sector actions and policy development.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
 
Description UKIEG 2020 Conference: 'Adapting our built environment for climate change: New challenges and implications from the COVID crisis' 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Participation in online seminar: 'Adapting our built environment for climate change; new challenges and implications from the COVID crisis.'
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL http://www.ukieg.org
 
Description Ventilation design on the prevalence of anti-microbial bacteria in homes 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Project featured on AHRC website.
Investigating how housing design affects the indoor microbiome, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the consequent impact on occupants' health.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://ahrc.ukri.org/research/readwatchlisten/features/ventilation-design-on-the-prevalence-of-anti...