Peak Exposure Focused Assessment Method for Sustainable Indoor Air Quality Management

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most harmful indoor air pollutants, contributing to over two million deaths annually. Despite these significant health risks, current research often misrepresents exposure and overlooks the role of peak concentrations, leading to an underestimation of PM's true health impacts. This proposed research aims to address these gaps by developing a population-scale, time-resolved indoor PM exposure model tailored to residential buildings. The model will be parametric, multi-zone, and archetype-based, enabling accurate and scalable exposure assessments across diverse housing types. These exposure estimates will then be integrated into a burden of disease framework using the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) metric. By comparing health impacts under various peak exposure scenarios, the project seeks to improve the evaluation and optimization of indoor air quality (IAQ) strategies across European residential environments. Additionally, the research will explore the energy implications of these IAQ strategies to support integrated, sustainable solutions. By focusing on peak concentrations and improving exposure representation, this research intends to contribute to the ongoing paradigm shift toward health-based assessments in the built environment and related legislation. Ultimately, it aims to support the development of holistic, health-centred IAQ strategies that are both energy-efficient and effective across a wide range of residential settings.