IAQ Standards of the Future: Recent Research on the Connections Between Ventilation and Health

Current ventilation standards define required outdoor air rates based on sensory discomfort, while assuming that these rates will also protect against health potential risks. It is relevant to ask whether these standards need revision and/or extension, and whether health instead of sensory discomfort should be used to define ventilation requirements. However, ventilation is only a measure to control exposures, and it is these exposures (not ventilation) that are related to health. An example of a framework for establishing health-based ventilation standards will be presented. Moreover, the strengths and weaknesses of research connecting ventilation with health will be discussed.