Science published a report into the lessons to be learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic about ventilation and air quality (24/07/24).
The rapid global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the beginning of 2020 presented the world with its greatest health challenge in decades. It soon became clear that governments were unprepared to respond appropriately to this crisis. National and international public health authorities were confused about the transmission routes of the virus and the control measures required to protect against it. In particular, the need to reduce the risk of infection through sufficient and effective ventilation of indoor spaces was given little attention. In this review, we discuss insights and key lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the role of ventilation as an effective means against airborne transmission of pathogens and, more broadly, for supporting good indoor air quality.
The report concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed society’s vulnerability to infectious diseases and revealed critical deficiencies in indoor air quality and ventilation standards, which had been largely neglected despite scientific recommendations. Public reactions to health measures varied widely and were often unanticipated, highlighting the need for better integration of natural and social sciences in addressing public health challenges. The authors emphasize the urgent need to improve indoor air quality and ventilation in buildings, not only to reduce infection risks but also for general well-being and to prevent future disease outbreaks.
The full report can be read here.