Health effects of modern airtight construction
Lead Research Organisation:
Glasgow School of Art
Department Name: Mackintosh School of Architecture
Abstract
Awareness of the impacts of climate change, rising energy prices, fuel poverty and a demand for energy security have prompted significant changes in design thinking, construction practice, building materials and building legislation aimed at reducing energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. A particular example of this is the fabric first approach and increasing requirements for air-tightness in housing. Whilst this achieves a primary objective of reducing heat loss through ventilation, other requirements for ventilation have not kept pace and there is emerging evidence of poor indoor air quality and inadequate ventilation. This in turn has been linked to a multitude of public health issues, particularly for conditions such as asthma, allergies and COPD that are all known to be exacerbated by poor air quality.
Our goal is to bring public health and building professionals together with architects and their clients to identify shared research questions and develop ways of addressing these issues, with an overall aim of supporting the design of healthy, low energy homes. Despite shared interests between the built environment, environmental health and medical research communities, they are generally not well connected. Indeed there is also very little connection between the housing research and fuel poverty communities as well. The programme therefore aims to bridge the gap between these complementary fields, providing a platform for discussion and collaboration while facilitating knowledge exchange to the built environment industries, such as housing associations and architects. The programme will involve a trans-disciplinary team comprising of academics and industry professionals from the fields of respiratory health, indoor air quality and the built environment.
Our goal is to bring public health and building professionals together with architects and their clients to identify shared research questions and develop ways of addressing these issues, with an overall aim of supporting the design of healthy, low energy homes. Despite shared interests between the built environment, environmental health and medical research communities, they are generally not well connected. Indeed there is also very little connection between the housing research and fuel poverty communities as well. The programme therefore aims to bridge the gap between these complementary fields, providing a platform for discussion and collaboration while facilitating knowledge exchange to the built environment industries, such as housing associations and architects. The programme will involve a trans-disciplinary team comprising of academics and industry professionals from the fields of respiratory health, indoor air quality and the built environment.
Planned Impact
The intended audience and beneficiaries of the programme include built environment professionals (architects, ventilation suppliers, Mechanical and Electrical contractors), organisations involved in the delivery of airtight dwellings (Housing Associations, clients, sustainability consultants, government bodies and policy makers), and ultimately the end user (home owners and tenants). Similarly, the programme would be of benefit to organisations interested in public and environmental health (such as public health charities, health care providers, and environmental health officers).
Specifically, anticipated impacts from the planned outcomes include:
1) Advances of building policies and industry standards for ventilation and energy to ensure the protection and enhancement of occupant health in airtight dwellings, through improvements of indoor environmental conditions
2) Improvements in the design process to recognise the health implications of architectural design decisions
3) International development through the involvement of overseas participants and dissemination of results worldwide through an online platform
5) Economic benefits through the hosting of networking activities, engagement from international participants, and the development of funding proposals (UK and European based) at the sandpit event
6) Advancement of the quality of housing provision for both private and social housing sectors
7) Improvements to public health services and associated economic benefits, through advancing knowledge for the prevention and treatment of Building Related Illnesses, such as asthma, allergies and respiratory diseases
8) Enhancement of quality of life through improvements of indoor air quality and thermal comfort
9) Advancement of energy efficient design strategies to reduce carbon emissions and meet the targets set out by the Climate Change Act (2008)
10) Development of professional (management, networking, presentation, collaboration) and academic (methodological, analytical) skills of network participants that can be applied in all employment sectors
It is anticipated that the proposed research network will ultimately help to improve the design of energy efficient buildings, particularly within the residential sector, while enhancing the quality of life of the building occupants, through improved indoor air quality and ventilation provision. In the short term, it is expected to stimulate new collaborative and/or applied research projects through sustained communication and participation of both academic and non-academic participants in the sandpit event, and also explore the development of new products and services to achieve these goals. In addition, the network will help to inform the proposed changes to the Scottish Building Regulations regarding ventilation provision over the coming years, following the consultation in February 2015.
Where possible, the impact of the research network will be monitored. For example, the impact of dissemination activities can be observed through website analytical tools, number of citations and download statistics.
Specifically, anticipated impacts from the planned outcomes include:
1) Advances of building policies and industry standards for ventilation and energy to ensure the protection and enhancement of occupant health in airtight dwellings, through improvements of indoor environmental conditions
2) Improvements in the design process to recognise the health implications of architectural design decisions
3) International development through the involvement of overseas participants and dissemination of results worldwide through an online platform
5) Economic benefits through the hosting of networking activities, engagement from international participants, and the development of funding proposals (UK and European based) at the sandpit event
6) Advancement of the quality of housing provision for both private and social housing sectors
7) Improvements to public health services and associated economic benefits, through advancing knowledge for the prevention and treatment of Building Related Illnesses, such as asthma, allergies and respiratory diseases
8) Enhancement of quality of life through improvements of indoor air quality and thermal comfort
9) Advancement of energy efficient design strategies to reduce carbon emissions and meet the targets set out by the Climate Change Act (2008)
10) Development of professional (management, networking, presentation, collaboration) and academic (methodological, analytical) skills of network participants that can be applied in all employment sectors
It is anticipated that the proposed research network will ultimately help to improve the design of energy efficient buildings, particularly within the residential sector, while enhancing the quality of life of the building occupants, through improved indoor air quality and ventilation provision. In the short term, it is expected to stimulate new collaborative and/or applied research projects through sustained communication and participation of both academic and non-academic participants in the sandpit event, and also explore the development of new products and services to achieve these goals. In addition, the network will help to inform the proposed changes to the Scottish Building Regulations regarding ventilation provision over the coming years, following the consultation in February 2015.
Where possible, the impact of the research network will be monitored. For example, the impact of dissemination activities can be observed through website analytical tools, number of citations and download statistics.
Organisations
- Glasgow School of Art (Lead Research Organisation)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- UK Indoor Environments Group (Collaboration)
- International Energy Agency (IEA) (Collaboration)
- Eco-Energy (NI) (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- anderson bell and christie (Project Partner)
- Assist Architects (Project Partner)
- Rachel Bevan Architects (Project Partner)
- National University of Ireland, Galway (Project Partner)
- Heriot-Watt University (Project Partner)
- University of Strathclyde (Project Partner)
- Paul Heat Recovery (Project Partner)
- Fourwalls Consultants Limited (Project Partner)
- Abertay University (Project Partner)
- KU Leuven (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Tim Sharpe (Principal Investigator) | |
| Graham Devereux (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
McGill, G.
(2017)
The UK is putting IAQ and health on the agenda again
in REVHA Journal
McGill, Grainne
(2020)
Home Ventilation Performance in Practice. In: State-of-the-Art ventilation solutions.
Moreno-Rangel A
(2018)
Indoor Fine Particle (PM2.5) Pollution and Occupant Perception of the Indoor Environment During Summer of the First Passivhaus Certified Dwelling in Latin America
in Journal of Natural Resources and Development
Moreno-Rangel A
(2020)
Indoor Air Quality in Passivhaus Dwellings: A Literature Review.
in International journal of environmental research and public health
Moreno-Rangel A
(2021)
Thermal comfort assessment of the first residential Passivhaus in Latin America
in Journal of Building Engineering
Moreno-Rangel A
(2018)
Field evaluation of a low-cost indoor air quality monitor to quantify exposure to pollutants in residential environments
in Journal of Sensors and Sensor Systems
Moreno-Rangel A
(2021)
Indoor Air Quality Assessment of Latin America's First Passivhaus Home
in Atmosphere
Schweiker M
(2019)
The Scales Project, a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scales.
in Scientific data
| Description | The funding has facilitated the establishment of an inclusive and active network of researchers and practitioners in the fields of medicine, engineering, microbiology, indoor air science, building physics, architecture and ventilation. The multidisciplinary committee of over 30 members has provided a strong foundation for the network and helped to attract a wide range of participants to the funded network events (Symposium event: 89 participants; Workshop event: 46 participants). The network has developed strong links with other leading local and international organisations in the field, including the UKIEG, AIVC, ISIAQ, ASBP, ARCC, REHVA, ASHRAE (Scotland), UKCMB, PLEA and The Aerosol Society. In addition to the funded events, the network has supported a range of other events including the Scottish Passivhaus Projects Update (16/05/16, The University of Strathclyde), and the hosting of the annual UK Indoor Environments Group Conference (26/04/17, the Glasgow School of Art); which marks the first time the UKIEG annual conference will be held in Scotland. Activities have resulted in a number of forums at the upcoming international Passive Low Energy Architecture (PLEA) Conference (Edinburgh, 3-5th July 2017), including a new forum on 'Indoor Air Quality and Health'. The development of an online platform has facilitated the promotion of networking activities, increased awareness of the network and helped disseminate outcomes to an international audience. Since development, the platform has received over 1,000 visitors (>3,600 views) from all over the world. The involvement of industry professionals (ventilation suppliers, housing associations, architects, clinicians and consultants) and policy makers (Scottish Building Standards Division) has helped to increase awareness and knowledge of the health effects of modern airtight construction and facilitated the transfer and exchange of knowledge between research and practice. The funding has facilitated the establishment of an inclusive and active network of researchers and practitioners in the fields of medicine, engineering, microbiology, indoor air science, building physics, architecture and ventilation. The multidisciplinary committee of over 30 members has provided a strong foundation for the network and helped to attract a wide range of participants to the funded network events (Symposium event: 89 participants; Workshop event: 46 participants). The network has developed strong links with other leading local and international organisations in the field, including the UKIEG, AIVC, ISIAQ, ASBP, ARCC, REHVA, ASHRAE (Scotland), UKCMB, PLEA and The Aerosol Society. In addition to the funded events, the network has supported a range of other events including the Scottish Passivhaus Projects Update (16/05/16, The University of Strathclyde), and the hosting of the annual UK Indoor Environments Group Conference (26/04/17, the Glasgow School of Art); which marks the first time the UKIEG annual conference will be held in Scotland. Activities have resulted in a number of forums at the upcoming international Passive Low Energy Architecture (PLEA) Conference (Edinburgh, 3-5th July 2017), including a new forum on 'Indoor Air Quality and Health'. The development of an online platform has facilitated the promotion of networking activities, increased awareness of the network and helped disseminate outcomes to an international audience. Since development, the platform has received over 1,000 visitors (>3,600 views) from all over the world. The involvement of industry professionals (ventilation suppliers, housing associations, architects, clinicians and consultants) and policy makers (Scottish Building Standards Division) has helped to increase awareness and knowledge of the health effects of modern airtight construction and facilitated the transfer and exchange of knowledge between research and practice. The funded network events have assisted in mapping the research context, identifying current gaps in knowledge and outlining a number of key research priorities. This has already resulted in several multidisciplinary funding applications (2x AHRC, 1x Dunhill Medical Trust and 1x Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland applications). The Information gathered from the network is feeding into a range of policy and advisory groups. These include evidence given to the All Party Parliamentary Group 'Health Homes and Buildings'; participation in a newly formed National Institute for Clinical Evidence (NICE) Public Health Committee in Indoor Air Quality; and participation in the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings, and the Ventilation and Air Tightness sub-group. The findings have been able to evidence the issues of poor ventilation and associations with health and this is now having significant influence on policy and regulation. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings will be taken forward through several submitted funding applications, as detailed below. i) A pilot investigation into relationships between ventilation and health status of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in contemporary airtight homes Although the effects of outdoor air pollution on COPD are well established, the effects of indoor air pollution on COPD, especially in the elderly, remain unknown. The proposed study would be the initial step in investigating for the first time whether modern airtight housing adversely affects the respiratory health of elderly people with COPD, with the aim of identifying whether practical changes to the indoor environment reduces ill-health and improves quality of life for elderly people with COPD. ii) Influence of ventilation design on the prevalence of anti-microbial bacteria in homes This funded study is bringing together architectural design, ventilation engineering and microbiology expertise to evaluate how design may influence the presence of AMR microorganisms in homes. While ventilation has been identified as a primary driver in the structure of the microbial community in buildings, the precise impact of ventilation type, effectiveness and operation warrants further investigation. This study aims to examine whether reduced ventilation rates lead to a higher persistence of resistant microorganisms, and to explore both design and lifestyle to assess potential reasons why this might be the case. iii) Knowledge generated by the network is being fed into the NICE Public Health Committee on Indoor Air Quality which will result in recommendations for housing across the UK. It has also informed the APPG on Homes and Health which may lead to further legislation in this area. iv) Dissemination through public and industry events, CPD events and media distribution has increased awareness of the issue for the public, designers and policymakers. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Construction,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| URL | http://www.hemacnetwork.com |
| Description | The findings from this award have contributed to societal benefits, through raising awareness of the potential health effects of indoor air pollution among the built environment professions. This was achieved through the following activities: 1. HEMAC Symposium event (21/09/17), which attracted a large number of participants from academia, industry and the public sector. The symposium included presentations from 10 invited speakers and a discussion session which helped to stimulate debate and intellectual exchange. 2. HEMAC Workshop event (30/11/16), which facilitated knowledge exchange, multidisciplinary dialogue and dissemination of information. The event included 9 different workshop sessions, on topics including 'Guidance for Design and Construction Professionals', 'Microorganisms in homes', and 'Intervention studies for susceptible groups'. 3. Workshop held at the Royal Institution of British Architects (RIBA) headquarters in London (09/11/16) on 'Build Tight Ventilate Right in the 21st Century' 4. Social media outlets, including Twitter (@HEMAC_Network : 176 followers to date) 5. Article published by Committee Member Tom Woolley in the Architects Journal on 'Hazardous Building Materials are part of the airtightness problem' 6. Invited lecture by Prof Jan Sundell to Stage Two Architecture Students at GSA, while visiting Glasgow to attend the HEMAC workshop event (29/11/16). The network has assisted in the advancement of quality of life and health, through involvement in the development of guidelines on Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Homes: 1. Evidence provided by PI to APPG for Healthy Homes and Buildings 2. Registered Stakeholder for NICE Guideline Consultation on Indoor Air Pollution 3. Topic Expert, NICE Public Health Advisory Committee on Indoor Air Quality 4. Member UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings and chair of Ventilation sub-group 5. Participation in the RRoyal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) working group The Effects of Indoor Air on Children's Health Across the Lifecourse 6. Member of the British Standards Institute (BSi) retrofit working group, Air Tightness and Ventilation The network has helped foster economic benefits and international development, through: 1. The hosting of network activities and events 2. Involvement of overseas participants from China, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands. 3. The stimulation of new collaborative research project proposals 4. Development of an Elective on 'Indoor Air Quality' (based on findings from the HEMAC network) to be delivered as part of the new Part-time MSc in Environmental Architecture 5. There has been a range of industry talks and CPD presentations which have drawn on the findings and activity of the network More recently I have been engaged in a number of policy and advisory groups on the basis of this. These include: 2021 - Member, World Health Organisation High-Level Expert Group on COVID-19 2021 - Expert Panel Member, Cabinet Office Technical Advisory Panel to UK Government Departments 2021 - 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 2021 - Chair Scottish Government Covid-19 Ventilation Short Life Working Group (SLWG) 2021 Focus group meeting - HSE evidence report on ventilation 2021 - Glasgow City Council, Home Energy Retrofit Feasibility Study - Advisory Group 2020 - Member UK Government Science Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) - Environmental and Modelling Group |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Construction,Education,Energy,Environment,Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | Development of course material, as part of new MSc in Environmental Architecture |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Evidence Provided to All-Party Parliamentary Group on Healthy Homes and Buildings- December 2016 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/170106/healthy-homes-and-buildings.htm |
| Description | RAEng Infection Resilient Environments Pt 1 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
| Impact | Report had a rapid impact on COVID-19 response including improved guidance from HSE and BEIS for organisations, establishment of ventilation advisory groups and the commissioning of a follow on piece of work to assess research capability, social benefit, best practice. |
| URL | https://www.raeng.org.uk/policy/policy-projects-and-issues/infection-resilient-environments |
| Description | Registered stakeholder to NICE Guideline Consultation on Indoor Air Pollution (provided comments on Draft Scope) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ng10022 |
| Description | SLWG Scotland Ventilation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Committee recommendations have influence guidance on ventilation for all sectors in Scotland and have led to a financial scheme for businesses to apply for funding to support ventilation improvements. |
| Description | Selected to participate in UK-China AMR Workshop, Shanghai, November 2017 |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Description | AMR Indoor and Built Environment Pump Priming |
| Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/R00207X/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2017 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| 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 | 09/2020 |
| End | 08/2023 |
| 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 | 02/2019 |
| End | 10/2021 |
| Description | Health Effects of Modern Airtight Construction: Follow-on funding |
| Amount | £68,220 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/S010467/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | Improving housing management leading to improved health outcomes |
| Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2019 |
| End | 11/2019 |
| Description | Leadership Development Fund |
| Amount | £8,200 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Glasgow School of Art |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2017 |
| End | 07/2018 |
| 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 | 09/2021 |
| 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 | Patient and Public Involvement Bursary |
| Amount | £420 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Asthma + Lung UK |
| Department | Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 03/2018 |
| 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 | BBC coverage of health effects of ventilation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Recorded piece of health effects of modern homes, followed by live interview on BBC Breakfast 26 April 2017. Wider dissemination to a range of new outlets. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-36134213 |
| 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 | Public and Community Oversight Group for Health Protection Research Unit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Member of the joint Public and Community Oversight group (PCOG) for the newly created National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs) in Chemical & Radiation Threats and Hazards and in Environmental Exposures & Health. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Research challenges and state of the art in indoor air quality, health and the built environment |
| 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 at UKRI SPF Clean Air Scoping Workshop |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://nerc.ukri.org/research/funded/programmes/clean-air/news/ukri-spf-clean-air-scoping-workshop/... |
| 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... |