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IAQ Insights
Indoor air quality is no longer a comfort issue - it is a public health, productivity, and infrastructure challenge.
IAQ Insights is a curated source of evidence-based guidance, independent testing, and real-world implementation insight on indoor air purification and HVAC-integrated air quality solutions.
It is written for policy makers, ministries, healthcare leaders, developers, engineers, and facility owners who require more than theory. It reflects nearly two decades of practical experience delivering proven, independently validated air purification technologies across commercial, healthcare, education, hospitality, and government environments.
This is not opinion-led commentary. It is decision-grade intelligence designed to support policy, specification, and long-term investment in healthy, high-performance buildings.
Why Improving IAQ Can Reduce Carbon Faster Than Solar Panels
Solar panels are visible. Indoor air quality improvements are not.
But when it comes to near-term carbon reduction in buildings, IAQ often delivers faster, cheaper, and more reliable results.
David Mallinson
1 min read
Signs Your Building Has an Air Quality Problem
Healthy buildings are measured, managed, and maintained - not guessed at. Most buildings with indoor air quality issues don’t look broken.They function - but underperform. IAQ problems often reveal themselves through patterns , not alarms. Warning Signs of an Air Quality Problem Across offices, hospitals, hotels, and public buildings, the same indicators appear again and again: 1. Persistent Odours If smells linger despite cleaning and ventilation, the issue is airborne chem
David Mallinson
1 min read
The Question I Always Ask Engineers About Ventilation
When I speak with engineers about indoor air quality, there is one question I always ask.It’s simple - and it usually stops the conversation for a moment:
“What problem are you trying to solve with more ventilation?”
For decades, ventilation has been the default response to indoor air quality concerns.
David Mallinson
2 min read
Why Retrofitting IAQ Is Cheaper Than Managing Sick Buildings
It is cheaper to fix the air than to manage the consequences of ignoring it. Many buildings were designed for an era when indoor air quality expectations were lower, energy was cheaper, and health impacts were poorly understood. Today, those buildings are becoming liabilities. The True Cost of a “Sick” Building Poor IAQ manifests as: Frequent occupant complaints Higher absenteeism Reduced productivity Tenant dissatisfaction Increased maintenance calls Reputational damage Thes
David Mallinson
1 min read
CapEx vs OpEx: Why IAQ Is a Financial Decision, Not a Health Luxury
IAQ is a financial control mechanism, not a discretionary wellness spend. Indoor Air Quality is often discussed in health terms. But for building owners and operators, the real conversation is financial. IAQ is not a luxury upgrade. It is a capital allocation decision with direct operational consequences. The Cost of “Ventilate Your Way Out” Traditional IAQ strategies rely heavily on increased outdoor air ventilation to dilute pollutants. In hot climates like the GCC, this a
David Mallinson
1 min read
Why Indoor Air Quality Is an Asset Value Multiplier
IAQ is no longer a “soft” feature. It is a hard driver of asset value, influencing leasing velocity, tenant retention, operational risk, and long-term resilience.
David Mallinson
2 min read
Active vs Passive Air Purification Systems. How to Choose the Right IAQ Strategy
Indoor air quality is a core performance, health, and risk issue.
Yet not all air purification technologies work the same way.
David Mallinson
3 min read
Clean, Safe, Indoor Air Quality as National Infrastructure: Why Governments Must Act
Just as governments ensure safe water, reliable power, and secure buildings, they must now ensure clean indoor air For decades, governments have invested heavily in physical infrastructure - roads, power, water, and telecommunications - recognising their foundational role in economic growth, social stability, and public well-being. Yet one critical system remains largely invisible in national planning: the air people breathe inside buildings . Indoor air quality (IAQ) is no l
David Mallinson
3 min read
Why Indoor Air Quality for Hotels Is Becoming a Priority in the GCC & MENA
Why Indoor Air Quality for Hotels Is Becoming a Priority in the GCC & MENA. Hotels across the GCC and MENA region operate in hot, dusty climates, rely on continuous air-conditioning, and accommodate high guest turnover every day. In this environment, indoor air quality (IAQ) is no longer just a comfort issue - it has become a core driver of guest satisfaction, staff well-being, operational efficiency, and brand reputation.
David Mallinson
3 min read
Indoor Air Quality For Schools Is Becoming a Strategic Priority in the GCC & MENA
Indoor Air Quality For Schools Is Becoming a Strategic Priority in the GCC & MENA. Education thrives in environments where students can breathe easily, focus clearly, and stay well.
For schools and universities across the GCC and MENA, indoor air quality is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It is a strategic investment in student outcomes, educator well-being, and the long-term resilience of national education systems.
David Mallinson
2 min read
The Case for Clean Indoor Air in Future-Ready Buildings
The Case for Clean Indoor Air in Future-Ready Buildings. Green Build Oman reinforced a critical message: indoor air quality is fundamental to sustainable, future-ready buildings. By integrating air purification into HVAC design and leveraging ASHRAE 62.1 IAQP, new buildings can reduce energy use, lower capital costs, and significantly improve occupant health - often at no additional cost.
David Mallinson
4 min read
Why Indoor Air Quality for Airports Is an Infrastructure Priority in the GCC & MENA
Why Indoor Air Quality for Airports Is an Infrastructure Priority in the GCC & MENA. Airports are among the most complex and heavily occupied public buildings in the GCC and MENA region. They operate 24/7, accommodate millions of passengers annually, and bring together travellers, airline crews, security personnel, retail staff, and ground operations teams - all within sealed, continuously air-conditioned environments.
In such settings, indoor air quality (IAQ) is not simply
David Mallinson
2 min read
Why Indoor Air Quality Is a Strategic Design Advantage for Offices in the GCC
Why Indoor Air Quality Is a Strategic Design Advantage for Offices in the GCC. Modern offices in the GCC are no longer judged solely on location, aesthetics, or amenities. They are increasingly assessed on health, performance, sustainability, and operating efficiency. In hot, dusty climates where buildings remain sealed and mechanically cooled year-round, indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a decisive factor in both workforce well-being and asset value.
David Mallinson
2 min read
Purified Air at Sea: Why Cruise Ships Are Turning to Bi-Polar Ionization
Purified Air at Sea: Why Cruise Ships Are Turning to Bi-Polar Ionization. Cruise ships represent one of the most demanding indoor air quality environments in the world. Thousands of passengers and crew live, dine, socialise, and sleep in close proximity for days or weeks at a time, all within a sealed, continuously air-conditioned structure. In these conditions, managing indoor air quality is not simply a comfort issue - it is a critical operational and reputational priority.
David Mallinson
2 min read
Improved Indoor Air Quality as a Critical Component of Infection Prevention in Hospitals
Improved Indoor Air Quality as a Critical Component of Infection Prevention in Hospitals. Hospitals are supposed to heal - but they can also be environments where infections spread. This is especially true in high-occupancy, continuously air-conditioned healthcare facilities common across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and MENA region.
In such settings, indoor air quality (IAQ) isn’t a comfort issue: it’s a critical clinical and public health concern that impacts patient
David Mallinson
2 min read
Air Purification at Zero Incremental Cost:
Air Purification at Zero Incremental Cost: What many architects and developers still don’t realise is this:
When designed correctly, air purification does not need to increase project cost at all. In fact, when aligned with ASHRAE Standard 62.1’s Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP), it can reduce HVAC capital expenditure, lower energy demand, and accelerate compliance with green building certifications such as LEED, WELL, and Fitwel.
This is not an add-on.It is a design optim
David Mallinson
3 min read
Hospital-Acquired Infections Are a Critical Healthcare Issue in the GCC & MENA - Why Indoor Air Matters
Hospital-Acquired Infections Are a Critical Healthcare Issue. Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomial infections, are a persistent and costly global health challenge. In clinical settings where patients, caregivers, and visitors share indoor spaces for prolonged periods, these infections can spread through contact and airborne routes - making indoor air quality (IAQ) a critical part of infection prevention.
David Mallinson
3 min read
Improved Indoor Air Quality: A Strategic Opportunity for Health, Efficiency, and Business Growth
Improved Indoor Air Quality: A Strategic Opportunity for Health, Efficiency, and Business Growth. Indoor air quality (IAQ) in homes and workplaces is no longer a niche concern. It represents a growing opportunity to improve occupant health, reduce operating costs, and create meaningful differentiation in a competitive HVAC and building services market.
When addressed correctly, IAQ initiatives deliver dual benefits: measurable health improvements for occupants and tangible en
David Mallinson
3 min read
ASHRAE 62.1 - Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP) 2025
ASHRAE 62.1 - Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP) 2025. Why ASHRAE 62.1 - Indoor Air Quality Procedure Matters in HVAC Design
In hot-climate regions, outdoor air dominates:
Cooling load
HVAC system sizing
Energy consumption
IAQP enables engineers to decouple IAQ performance from outside air volume, unlocking opportunities to:
Reduce ventilation rates
Downsize HVAC equipment
Lower peak and annual energy demand.
David Mallinson
2 min read
Why Improved Indoor Air Quality Is a Hidden Driver of Guest Experience in the GCC Foodservice Sector
Why Improved Indoor Air Quality Is a Hidden Driver of Guest Experience in the GCC Foodservice Sector. One of the most powerful elements shaping that experience is often invisible: the air.
Among our five senses, smell is the most emotionally influential. It plays a defining role in how food is perceived, how spaces are judged, and how brands are remembered. In foodservice environments, unwanted or lingering odours can undermine even the highest standards of food quality, hygi
David Mallinson
3 min read
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