Much ventilation fails to meet minimum standards for air quality.
Links between poor ventilation and ill-health are well-established.
MEARU Research identifies key areas for improvement.
Public awareness film launched
Make
sure you ventilate your home is a key message that people need to grasp if we
are to help reduce exposure to indoor pollutants and chemicals that contribute
to risks of ill health such as Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This was emphasised today 26 April 2016 with the launch of an awareness-raising film created by experts
in health and wellbeing in buildings in the Mackintosh Environmental ArchitectureResearch Unit (MEARU) at The Glasgow School of
Art. The film aims to help more people become aware of the impact of poor
ventilation on health and general living environments.
“Poor indoor air quality, particularly in bedrooms, is
hard for people to detect,” says Professor Tim Sharpe, Head
MEARU which has undertaken detailed research in this area in partnership with
Innovate UK. “There are clear links
between poor ventilation and ill-health so people need to be aware of the build
up of CO2 and other pollutants in their homes and their potential
impact on health.”
“Modern homes are increasingly airtight and can also
contain a great number of pollutants and chemicals, many of which can have
serious health effects. It is clear from this research that buildings are
simply not well ventilated and this could seriously impact on occupants health,
especially vunerable people such as those with COPD and asthma,” he adds.
Based at the
Mackintosh School of Architecture at the GSA MEARU has a 15-year track record
of high quality research into environmental architecture. It operates at a
unique interface between architectural design, science based research and
building occupants. The ventilation research complements
work undertaken by MEARU into other impacts on air quality in buildings including
the widely reported domestic laundry research http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20176376 .
Over 5
million people in the UK are currently
receiving
treatment for asthma including 1.1m children
Recently
released research by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons on air
quality suggested that the issue of indoor air pollution needed research to
strengthen the understanding of the key risk factors and effects of poor air
quality in our homes, schools and workplaces. It noted: “The drive to reduce energy costs, by creating homes with tighter
ventilation, could be making the situation worse.”
MEARU
has undertaken research with residents of over 200 households based in
properties built to modern airtight standards since 2010. It revealed
widespread evidence of poor ventilation, with bedrooms being a particular
problem, and there was little awareness of poor indoor air quality and its
potential consequences. Further work which looked at mechanical ventilation
found that while it can deliver good results, houses are entirely reliant on it
and when it goes wrong there is extremely poor ventilation.
The research found that:
83% of
Mechanical Extract Systems were underperforming with 42% below Building
Regulations requirements for moisture control;
63% of trickle vents were kept closed;
Only 20% of people leave bedroom windows open at night;
82% of people had received no advice on ventilation
There was no perception of Indoor Air Quality
Moisture building up in a poorly ventilated home
Scotland
leads the way with CO2 sensors to
be included
in all new build housing
Since
the research was completed MEARU has had success in changing Building Regulations
in Scotland. Going forward all new build properties must be equipped with CO2
sensors to give residents an indication of how well their houses are being
ventilated.
A
wider public information campaign was launched today with the unveiling of a
specially made film to help raise awareness of the issue. The film, which was
screened to key players in the housing sector at the Glasgow Film Theatre as
part of the GSA’s Research Week events, will be made available to housing
association tenants in Scotland as part of their household introduction packs.
It will also be available across the UK and internationally via the GSA vimeo site: https://player.vimeo.com/video/163384704
“In the past houses some houses had plaques telling
people to open their windows and public information films would offer similar
advice,” says Prof. Sharpe. “We hope that this film will help people to
understand more about the need to ventilate and how best to ensure that they
get the best possible indoor air quality so as to avoid problems of ill-health and
the associated to cost to our heath system.”
As
part of the research MEARU worked closely with Hanover Housing Association, who
specialize in housing for the elderly who are more susceptible to infections.
“It has been fascinating working with Professor Sharpe and the team at MEARU and receiving their conclusions has been very helpful,” says Kenneth
Shepherd, Development Officer with Hanover Housing Association. “Going
forward all our new residents will be provided with information on the best way
of ensuring that they ventilate their homes properly.”
Key Health Stats:
There are over 100,000 people in Scotland alone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
and this is currently projected to increase by 30% over the next 20 years.
Scotland has many locations with highest admissions COPD with 100,000
people suffering from COPD at an estimated cost in Scotland alone is £100M pa
In Scotland, 368,000 people (1 in 14) are currently receiving treatment
for asthma. This includes 72,000 children and 296,000 adults.
The projected Increase in COPD in Scotland alone is 30% in next 20 years
Associations between poor air quality and hospital admissions
Low humidity causes eye irritation, dryness of the skin and the nose,
and rashes.
High humidity fosters the growth of moulds and dust mites.
High temperatures – heat stress, discomfort
Low Temperature – cold, dampness, asthma, rhinitus, heart disease .PP
Polutants in modern Buildings
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) over 12,000 unique VOC’s most found in
buildings
Over 55,000 different materials used in buildings
Common materials are Formaldehyde, used in pressed wood products
such as particleboard, plywood, and medium density fiberboard (MDF), paints,
coatings and Phthalates – used to make plastics like polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) more flexible or resilient.. These are known to disrupt the endocrine and
reproductive systems and have been linked to liver cancer (CDC 2005). Also associated with increases in persistent
symptoms of allergies and diagnoses of rhinitis, eczema, and asthma (Mendell
2007).
Particulates: inhaling particulates can
cause eye, nose, and throat irritation and can increase the risk for
respiratory infections. long-term effects of inhaling ultrafine particles (less
than 2.5 μm), because they can travel deep into the lungs where they can remain
embedded for years or be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Ends
Further information: Lesley Booth 0779 941 4474 press@gsa.ac.uk @GSofAMedia
Notes for
Editors
Research methodology
Literature review
Health
effects and ventilation
Similar
studies
What is an
accepted measure of ventilation?
Large scale survey
Selection of
>50 of these properties for detailed monitoring
Temp, CO2 and RH for a
48 hour period, along with survey and observations
Subsurvey
Selection of
>50 of these properties for detailed monitoring
Temp, CO2 and RH for a
48 hour period, along with survey and observations
Core survey
Extract data
from long term monitoring of 26 houses in TSBP BPE programme
Week long
observation of data with occupant diaries
VOC and
particulate testing in some properties .
MEARU
The Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research
Unit (MEARU) was established in 1986 within the Mackintosh School of
Architecture. MEARU undertakes strategic and applied research into a wide range
of aspects of sustainable environmental design, responding to a growing
commitment to user-centred, low energy, eco-sensitive architecture in the
context of increasing global concerns.
Recent work has led to the significant expansion of
MEARU, widening its portfolio of expertise to include: health and wellbeing in
buildings; indoor air quality; energy efficient refurbishment; and building
performance evaluation.
The unit is well networked with similar European
partners, is represented on the International Energy Agency, ISES Europe and
publishes regularly at the Eurosun, PLEA, Healthy Buildings and WREC conference
circuits.This activity contributes greatly to the learning and teaching culture
of The Glasgow School of Art and has also established the Centre as a
significant global research player in scientific and architectural circles.
www.gsa.ac.uk/research/research-centres/mearu
Hanover is a
national provider of housing and services for people in later life.
We manage around 19,000 properties for rent, sale and
shared ownership in approximately 600 locations. This includes nearly 2,500 Extra Care properties
where residents can access 24-hour care on-site. Our services include an around-the-clock emergency
response service, Hanover on
Call, for those who need it. We also offer a free and
confidential service, Be Wise,
which has helped residents save money and access unclaimed benefits worth more
than £1.53 million.
Hanover intends to develop 1,250 downsizer homes for
people in later life over the next five years to help meet growing demand from
our ageing population. Over the next 20 years there will be a 47% increase in
the number of people over 65 – compared to an expected increase in the general
population of just 15%.
Our 50-year history, expertise and track record in
innovation make us a trusted provider for those wishing to live independent,
active and fulfilling lives.
We are a not-for-profit organisation – any surplus we
make is re-invested into maintaining our properties, improving our services and
building more homes for older people.
