New research reports air pollution might be responsible for a rise in antibiotic resistance*, jeopardising human health globally. Utilising data from 100 countries over the past 20 years, analysis indicates that growing levels of air pollution can be strongly linked to rising levels of antibiotic resistance, with the link between the two growing stronger over time. Considering antibiotic resistance can affect people of any age, in any country, and already killing 1.3 million people per year, antibiotic resistance is one of the largest threats to overall global health.
Given the study shows an undeniable link between air pollutants and antibiotic resistance, Manish Sharma, vice president and chief product officer, Honeywell comments on what can be done going forwards to ensure that indoor air quality (IAQ) levels are kept as good as possible:
“Given recent outdoor air pollution events, healthcare professionals are advising people to remain indoors as indoor air pollutants can be two to five times worse than outdoor air, which is often offset by bringing in outdoor air. As such, when fresh outdoor air ventilation is not available to improve indoor air quality, building owners should take extra precautions and focus on healthier indoor air quality amidst outdoor air crises.
“When the outdoor air index reaches unhealthy levels, it is advisable to avoid introducing external air indoors. The main concern then becomes ensuring the maintenance of healthy indoor air when the option to bring in fresh air is not available. To promote better air quality in situations like these, buildings should consider utilising automated and sophisticated sensing, filtration, air purification and air circulation solutions.
“By utilising IAQ sensors, monitoring factors such as CO2 and temperature, which analyse data and track trends, building managers can gain insights into when indoor air is not safe. Ventilation is another important factor in maintaining healthy IAQ levels as it freshens up the air inside buildings and dilutes the concentration of harmful particles. As such, building owners can use mechanical ventilation devices, which may be helpful when ventilation with outdoor, polluted air is not possible without compromising indoor comfort or health. Considering the outdoor air crisis, it is critical that building managers integrate intelligent and advanced technology to mitigate IAQ issues where possible.”
