Our health is greatly affected by the quality of the air we breathe. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is especially important, as we spend on average more than 90% of our time indoors. Numerous factors affect IAQ, including ventilation rates, building materials, presence of mold, and type of heating and cooking appliances. The presence of people can also greatly affect IAQ. Activities such as smoking (tobacco or other products), cleaning surfaces, and even opening windows can change the quality of the air, sometimes in unexpected ways. Often, many factors combine to determine IAQ in complex and poorly understood ways.
Our IAQ research spans a wide range of approaches, including:
- Characterizing indoor air composition in real and simulated residences
- Measuring emissions indoors from common activities such as cooking and cleaning
- Developing methods to improve IAQ by removing pollutants from indoor air
- Assessing pollutant exposure risks and health impacts in Saskatchewan communities
- Learning about IAQ concerns and issues from members of Saskatchewan communities
Research highlights: Kirychuk and collaborators
More than 50% of homes in rural on-reserve Saskatchewan First Nation communities have visible mold and smell of mold.1,2,3 The smell of mold in the home strongly correlates with respiratory health issues in house occupants,1,3-6 and has been shown to increase the risk of treatment and hospitalization for health outcomes (5× for asthma; 3× the risk for tonsillitis, bronchitis, RSV, asthma, ear infections and croup; 2× for pneumonia).3
Research highlights: Kahan and collaborators
Common activities such as cooking and cleaning can dramatically alter the composition of indoor air.7-12 Using bleach to disinfect surfaces following manufacturer guidelines may lead to prolonged exposure to harmful chlorinated pollutants at levels exceeding national guidelines.12