Evidence driven indoor air qualitiy improvement (EDIAQI)

The EDIAQI research project focuses on indoor air pollution. The topic is highly relevant, as people in industrialized countries—particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic—spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Studies show that poor indoor air quality can increase health risks such as respiratory diseases and mortality. In Europe, particulate matter significantly reduces life expectancy, with children, elderly people, and individuals with respiratory diseases being particularly vulnerable.

Indoor air quality is influenced by a variety of factors, including outdoor pollution levels, pollutant transport between indoor and outdoor environments, indoor emissions, chemical reactions of gases in the environment, and insufficient ventilation. However, there is a substantial lack of representative data and comprehensive risk assessments. In addition, guidelines for air quality compliance and reference values for indoor pollutants vary widely across the EU, leading to polarization of the topic and unequal living conditions. This results in a clear need to protect the most vulnerable populations and to avoid inequalities, which can primarily be achieved through the harmonization and adaptation of guidelines for indoor air quality monitoring.

The EDIAQI research project aims to conduct fundamental research to support a unified, long-term strategy for monitoring indoor air pollution. The scientific findings are intended to provide the research community with a better understanding of indoor pollutant exposure, as well as scientifically sound information relevant for the development of appropriate guidelines and for the strategic implementation and promotion of technological innovations to improve air quality.

To this end, EDIAQI investigates various indoor exposure scenarios in residential areas and public facilities (e.g., cinemas, hospitals, schools) across Europe. State-of-the-art measurement instruments and sensors are used to quantify pollutants, thereby enabling the identification of differences between subpopulations with respect to exposure concentrations and respiratory tract deposition.

To achieve its objectives, the project brings together 18 organizations (including TROPOS, The Lisbon Council for Economic Competitiveness ASBL, Wings ICT Solutions, TU Graz, among others) from 11 European countries, combining a broad range of interdisciplinary skills and expertise in fields such as environmental science and technology, medicine and toxicology, microphysics, as well as policy-making and public outreach.