Advancing Global Public Health

Validating the Future of
Indoor Air Quality.

A global, data-driven initiative to operationalize performance standards for the air we breathe. Bridging the gap between scientific consensus and public policy.

Read the Rationale Explore Study Design

"The goal is to advance scientific research and enable policy makers so that we can all have a healthier future."

We spend 90% of our lives indoors. It’s time our standards reflected that.

While robust regulatory frameworks govern outdoor air quality, most nations lack legislated, performance-based standards for public buildings. This creates a significant gap in public health protection.

As highlighted in the seminal Science policy forum "Mandating indoor air quality for public buildings" (Morawska et al.), actionable performance standards exist. The scientific consensus proposes thresholds such as:

PM2.5 Target 15 μg/m³ 1-hour threshold

CO2 Target 800 ppm Ventilation proxy

Primary Aims & Objectives

Our overarching goal is to create a global public good: a comprehensive, scientifically rigorous dataset that accelerates the transition to healthier indoor environments.

Primary Aim

To establish and analyze the world's largest harmonized dataset on real-world IAQ performance in diverse public buildings. We rigorously assess the global feasibility of meeting evidence-based IAQ performance standards in varied economic and climatic contexts.

Secondary Objectives

Quantify the Performance Gap between current conditions and health-based targets across geographies.
Identify Determinants like ventilation systems, building age, and occupancy patterns that drive IAQ outcomes.
Develop Predictive Models for policymakers to estimate IAQ performance based on building characteristics.

Unprecedented Scale & Rigor

A standardized, peer-reviewed protocol ensures data quality and comparability across our global network.

Global Deployment

Deployment of 10,000 to 20,000 calibrated real-time IAQ monitors across 5 to 10 countries.

24-Month Duration

Continuous longitudinal data collection to capture diurnal, weekly, and seasonal variations.

Public Focus

Initial deployment focuses on public buildings, with a strong emphasis on schools.

Open Science Infrastructure

We are unequivocally committed to Open Science. Following primary analysis, our fully anonymized and aggregated datasets will be made publicly available to fuel global research.

PM2.5 CO2 Temp Humidity

Policy Impact

From Scientific Evidence to Legislative Action

The Global IAQ Observatory provides the definitive evidence base that national governments and international bodies need to confidently legislate mandatory IAQ standards.

Implementation Roadmaps

Building Code Evolution

Supporting Leadership

Supporting leading research centers like the ARC Training Centre (Thrive) by providing a unique platform for testing future interventions.

Validating Standards

Moving beyond theory to generate detailed understandings of what is achievable in diverse, real-world conditions.

Who We Are

A collaborative global coalition driven by a shared vision for a healthier future.

Academic Partners

Leading research institutions worldwide

Charitable Sponsors

Foundations committed to public health

Contributors

Dedicated individuals supporting the cause

Governance Structure

Scientific integrity is paramount. The project is led by a central Scientific Steering Committee of international experts who oversee a network of Regional Academic Hubs. This federated model ensures rigorous, standardized data collection while respecting local contexts.

Join the Movement

Detailed information on participating institutions, leadership, and funding opportunities will be released shortly.