Indoor Air Quality Essentials and Survey Introduction 

While the days of smog-filled skies and soot-covered buildings are thankfully in the past, air quality remains an important issue in our region. Air pollutants are everywhere, from outside sources like vehicles, industry, and wildfires, to inside sources like natural gas cooking, cleaning products and solutions, radon, and off gassing from building materials, furniture, pest control products and more. 

Indoor air quality directly impacts human health, comfort, productivity, and learning. Poor IAQ is associated with asthma attacks, respiratory infections, headaches, fatigue, poor learning outcomes, chronic absenteeism on the part of students and workers, and long-term chronic disease risk. 

Since 2017, GBA has released an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) survey every few years. Developed from concepts included in several green building rating systems including FitWEL, LEED, Living Building Challenge, and WELL, the survey is designed to be a tool for commercial building owners and operators to identify changes and opportunities to improve IAQ within their buildings. Earlier this year, GBA released the newest version of the IAQ survey. 

As part of Materials & Resources Week, this educational event will dive into the basics of IAQ, pollution sources, and strategies to improve IAQ. GBA staff will also discuss the Survey, including how it was designed, and how building owners can use it to improve building operations. 

Participants Will

1. Explore contributors to indoor air quality including materials, textiles, ventilation, use type, etc.

2. Receive an introduction to the IAQ survey questions, process, and goals

3. Identify strategies to improve IAQ within their building(s)

4. Engage in Q&A with the creators and conductors of the survey 

This event is eligible for 1 AIA and self-reported GBCI CEUs.

Meet the Speakers

Tobias Chan, LEED: Green Associate, Director of Building Performance & Engagement, Green Building Alliance 

An environmental engineering graduate of Geneva College, Tobias completed his Master of Sustainability at Chatham University. Tobias supports the growth of GBA’s 2030 Districts and Resilient Communities as a liaison to property partners and building owners. 

Ariel Levin-Antila, WELL AP, Director of Communications & Membership, Green Building Alliance 

Ariel graduated from Dickinson College with degrees in Environmental Studies and Psychology. Ariel brings a variety of skills and interests to her role, including web design, video production, and writing. She strives to incorporate her knowledge of behavioral science into her work with sustainability and environmental justice. 

More About Materials & Resources Week

Join GBA for a week-long focus on the materials, products, systems, and innovations that are shaping the built environment. Throughout Materials & Resources Week, participants will engage in expert-led deep dives, interactive sessions, and site- or product-focused learning opportunities that spotlight the lifecycle of building materials, from sourcing to performance, reuse and impact. 

Discover more events happening this week by visiting the Materials & Resources Week Home Page. 

Geared toward architects, designers, builders, and sustainability professionals, this themed week offers rich opportunities to connect with peers and industry leaders, share challenges and solutions, and discover emerging strategies that support a healthier, more resilient, and more responsible built environment.