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EDIAQI Advisory Board Member Gaetano Settimo Appointed to Global Open Air Quality Standards Expert Advisory Committee

Image of Gaetano Settimo and the GO AQS Logo

Gaetano Settimo, a member of the EDIAQI Advisory Board, has recently been appointed to the Expert Advisory Committee of the Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS). This role reflects a wealth of expertise, experience, and commitment to advancing indoor air quality (IAQ) standards on a global scale.  

What is GO AQS?

The Global Open Air Quality Standards initiative seeks bold steps towards ensuring clean air for all. Their mission is to establish transparent, science-backed air quality standards that countries and organisations worldwide can adopt. As they put it:

"Imagine a world where people breathe equally the same air. GO AQS is here to make that vision a reality."

Their recently published white paper outlines this vision and the benchmarks they aim to set for both outdoor and indoor environments. The initiative focuses on defining pollutant thresholds based on robust scientific evidence to safeguard public health, with specific attention to short-term and long-term health-based exposure limits.

Indoor Air Quality Standards (GO IAQS)

GO AQS has taken significant strides in developing thresholds tailored to indoor environments, where it is estimated that most people spend 90% of their time. The guidelines categorise these thresholds based on four exposure durations: 1-hour, 8-hour, 24-hour, and 1-year average values. These exposure durations will be correlated with various indoor settings, such as healthcare facilities, offices, schools, fitness centers, and hospitality venues, to address the unique needs and requirements of occupants within each specific environment. These thresholds are divided into two tiers:

  1. GO IAQS Starter: The GO IAQS Starter is designed to be the initial point for improving indoor air quality, specifically aiming to remove financial and logistical obstacles for developing nations and underprivileged communities. Focusing on PM2.5 and CO2, pollutants easily measurable with widely available low-cost sensor technology.
  2. GO IAQS Ultimate: GO IAQS Ultimate is engineered to elevate building performance and occupant health protection by addressing increased levels of pollutants such as PCN0.3/0.5, O3, CO, CH2O, NO2, and Rn, and meeting more stringent regulatory guidelines. A pathway to achieving the oms health base guideline values.

This comprehensive framework aims to ensure protection from short-term pollutant spikes and long-term exposure risks, making it adaptable to diverse environments, from schools to hospitals.

About Gaetano Settimo

Gaetano brings a wealth of experience to the GO AQS advisory role. Based in Italy, he has played a key role in advancing IAQ research and policy, working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) on numerous studies and case analyses. His expertise spans monitoring IAQ thresholds, analysing health impacts, and implementing practical solutions across Europe.

A Call for Collaboration on IAQ Standards

Achieving meaningful progress in indoor air quality standards requires unified efforts across national and international boundaries. GO AQS exemplifies how science-driven collaboration can inspire transformative change, laying the groundwork for a healthier future. By supporting initiatives like GO AQS, EDIAQI is not only contributing to the development of transparent, equitable standards but also strengthening the foundation for impactful policies that improve public health. Together, these collective efforts can pave the way for healthier, more sustainable indoor environments, ensuring that the air we breathe indoors is as clean and safe as it can be for everyone.