Indoor air pollution: can better design help protect our health? Pg 22

• People spend 70–90% of their time indoors, yet indoor air pollution (IAP) remains under-discussed.

• Sources include: cooking fuels, household cleaners, mosquito coils, paints, construction materials.

• Linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.

• Effects may manifest long after exposure–requires greater attention.

• Solutions include better ventilation, daylight integration, use of HEPA filters, plant-based green elements, and low-VOC materials.

• Post-COVID-19 architecture has seen a focus on filtered air, easy-to-maintain materials, and air zoning.

• 2021 study shows correlation between poor IAQ and increased health risks during lockdowns.

• IAP needs inclusion in national building codes and urban health policies.

• Policies must ensure air quality audits, subsidies for clean fuel use, and guidelines for ventilation standards in public buildings.

• Public awareness and affordable retrofitting must be part of the strategy.

Mains Mock Question:

"Indoor air pollution is an overlooked public health hazard in India. Examine the sources, effects, and how sustainable building design can mitigate the risks."