IAQ Paradigms -- The Next Generation

Initially, the “healthy” part of ASHRAE’s vision meant determining and providing minimum ventilation rates. Over the last few decades, however, indoor air quality research has shown that the ventilation-only approach cannot always achieve the vision because of the diversity of sources and potential contributions of other removal mechanisms. On the other hand, consideration of sources and their impacts can lead to improvements in both health and sustainability. This article covers the evolution from the first paradigm - ventilation rate - to the emerging harm paradigm.