The Primary Causes of Indoor Air Pollution - and How Indoor Air Quality Solutions are Deployed

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is influenced by a complex interaction between pollutant sources, ventilation strategy, and air cleaning performance. Recognising this, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies three fundamental levers for controlling and improving indoor air quality:

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1. Source Control - reducing or neutralising pollutants at their origin

2. Ventilation - managing the introduction and distribution of outdoor air

3. Air Cleaning - removing or neutralising contaminants that remain airborne

 

In the GCC region, where buildings are continuously air-conditioned, tightly sealed, and exposed to dust, heat, humidity, and high occupancy, air cleaning becomes a critical and often underutilised control strategy.

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Common Indoor Air Pollutants in GCC Buildings

Commercial and institutional buildings across Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are typically affected by the following indoor air contaminants:

• Fine dust and particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM₂.₅, sub-micron particles)

• Odours from occupants, furnishings, cleaning agents, and food preparation

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted from materials and finishes

• Airborne bacteria, viruses, and microbial bioaerosols

• Fungal spores and mould, particularly in coastal and humid environments

These pollutants accumulate indoors due to limited air exchange, recirculated air, and long HVAC operating hours, increasing exposure risk in the occupied breathing zone.

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How AtmosAir Bipolar Ionisation Addresses Indoor Air Pollution

AtmosAir Bipolar Ionisation (BPI) is an active air cleaning technology designed to complement source control and ventilation by treating contaminants directly within the occupied space - not only inside the duct.

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Reduction of Dust and Particulate Matter

In dusty GCC environments, AtmosAir BPI releases balanced positive and negative ions that:

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• Bond with airborne particles

• Cause particles to agglomerate, increasing their size and mass

• Enable faster settling out of the breathing zone (4–7 ft)

• Improve capture efficiency by standard HVAC filters

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This process reduces occupant exposure to fine particulates without increasing airflow or pressure drop.

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Odour Control at the Source

Unlike masking agents or filters that treat odours after circulation, bipolar ions:

• Break down the hydrocarbon chains responsible for odour formation

• Neutralise odours at their source, not just in the ductwork

• Provide continuous, whole-space odour control

This is particularly valuable in hotels, healthcare facilities, food service areas, and high-occupancy buildings.

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Mould and Fungal Spore Reduction in Coastal Climates

In humid and coastal regions such as Muscat, Jeddah, and the UAE coastline, airborne fungi and mould spores are persistent IAQ risks.

AtmosAir BPI generates hydroxyl radicals (•OH) that:

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• Remove hydrogen molecules from fungal cell walls

• Disrupt cellular integrity at a molecular level

• Reduce airborne mould viability and spread

 

This process supports moisture management strategies without relying on chemical treatments.

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VOC Reduction

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) originate from:

• Building materials and finishes

• Furnishings

• Cleaning agents

• Office equipment

 

Bipolar ions interact with VOC molecules and:

• Break complex hydrocarbon chains

• Convert them into simpler, non-harmful compounds such as carbon dioxide and water vapour

• Reduce VOC concentrations throughout the occupied space

 

Reduction of Airborne Bacteria and Viruses

AtmosAir BPI has been independently tested against a wide range of microorganisms.

The ionisation process:

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• Removes hydrogen from microbial surface proteins

• Disrupts viral envelopes and bacterial cell walls

• Renders pathogens non-viable, even if inhaled

 

This mechanism supports healthier indoor environments in healthcare, education, hospitality, and commercial offices.

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Supporting Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation

 

By actively improving indoor air quality within the space, AtmosAir enables:

• Reduced dependence on high volumes of outdoor air

• Lower cooling and dehumidification loads

• Support for ASHRAE 62.1 Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP)

• Right-sizing of HVAC systems at design stage

 

This allows buildings to achieve healthier indoor air with lower energy consumption, aligning IAQ performance with Net Zero, ESG, and regional sustainability goals.

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The Integrated IAQ Approach

​Effective indoor air quality management is not achieved through ventilation alone.

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Source control reduces what enters the space.

Ventilation manages dilution.

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Active air cleaning ensures continuous protection where people breathe.

 

AtmosAir HVAC air purification using Bipolar Ionisation transforms IAQ from a reactive cost into a measurable, optimised building performance strategy - particularly in the demanding environmental conditions of the GCC.