Scientists and engineers champion building ventilation

A campaign promoting the role of better building ventilation to support health and wellbeing has been launched by a coalition of scientists and engineering bodies. The first annual World Ventilate Day is happening today (November 8) and involves a series of 'in person' and online events and discussions around the world. The overarching theme is 'Improving Ventilation for a Healthier World'. The campaign will showcase powerful scientific and practical evidence demonstrating how good ventilation can reduce exposure to air pollutants and infectious diseases, which aids human productivity, improves sleep, and reduces mould and damp in buildings. Reducing health threats. Cath Noakes, Professor of Environmental Engineering for Buildings at the University of Leeds, who initiated World Ventilation Day, said: "Good ventilation is part of creating a sustainable and low carbon environment, by using technology well to balance air quality, energy use and comfort. "It is critical to making buildings more resilient to health threats including our regular battles with the transmission of colds and flu around crowded indoor spaces." - As well as showcasing the range of ventilation solutions available to building owners and occupiers, World Ventilation Day will recognise the skilled people who implement the measures and strategies used to make buildings healthier and safer - highlighting the need for training and recruiting more skilled people to take on this growing global task.