Anticipating Emerging Research Frontiers Related to Indoor Air Quality: What Did We Learn from the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Funding Sponsor

APC Europe

Author's Department

Environmental Engineering Program

Second Author's Department

Architecture Department

Third Author's Department

Architecture Department

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https://doi.org/10.20900/jsr.20240050

All Authors

Farah Shoukry, Sherif Goubran, Khaled Tarabieh

Document Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Journal of Sustainability Research

Publication Date

8-1-2024

doi

10.20900/jsr.20240050

Abstract

Background: While the COVID-19 pandemic has officially ended, it remains a significant era that profoundly tests humanity’s ability to solve challenges across various domains related to health hazards’ crisis management, technological innovation, and requestioning the management of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in different building typologies. Methods: This study examines early publications related to IAQ during the early phase of the pandemic, from March 2020 to August 2021, to identify thematic research areas anticipated to shape the scientific community’s future interests for at least the following 10 years. This study proposes an analytical framework to further interpret the identified thematic areas of research related to IAQ based on intentionality and impact. Results: Topics included the spatial design of indoor environments, occupants’ health, thermal comfort, building performance and ventilation, technology use and energy efficiency, as well as health and social equity. The authors commented on key topics requiring immediate attention from architects, building operators, and researchers. Conclusions: This review foresees the need for (1) building codes that balance spatial design and health aspects to reduce the rate of viral transmission, (2) carbon footprint reduction plans in response to IAQ ventilation requirements, and (3) ventilation systems that consider the thermal comfort of occupants, minimize energy losses, and safeguard air quality from external pollutants. Finally, (4) find a balance between the identified parameters to enhance the IAQ system control.

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Article. Record derived from SCOPUS.

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