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Recap: Don’t Hold Your Breath – Implementing Effective Ventilation Strategies for Healthy Indoor Spaces

Banner of the LEARN and EDIAQI webinar 2 including title and date as well as image of women breathing next to plants

On Friday, 21st March 2025, the EDIAQI and LEARN projects co-hosted the latest session in the EDIAQI webinar series, titled “Don’t Hold Your Breath: Implementing Effective Ventilation Strategies for Healthy Indoor Spaces.” The webinar brought together technical experts, researchers, and innovation leaders to explore how advanced ventilation and filtration technologies can be harnessed to improve indoor air quality (IAQ)—with a special focus on the needs of vulnerable populations.

Panellists unpacked the limitations of current systems, explored emerging innovations in ventilation and filtration, and discussed policy pathways to embed effective solutions into European public health and environmental frameworks.

The AIVC Perspective: Smart Ventilation for a Sustainable Future

Arnold Janssens, representing the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre (AIVC), opened the session with a detailed overview of ventilation’s evolution—from its energy-efficiency origins in the 1970s to today’s renewed focus on health and wellbeing. Highlighting AIVC’s long-standing work in integrating sustainability with IAQ goals, Arnold underlined how smart ventilation systems are reshaping building design and operation by balancing energy performance with pollutant control.

Arnold also referenced AIVC’s involvement in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, showcasing how the centre’s technical guidance supports both regulatory development and practical implementation. Crucially, he stressed the importance of tailored solutions for schools, healthcare facilities, and elderly care homes, where populations are more susceptible to IAQ-related health risks.

Slide of Arnold Janssens with information on what is ventilation with Arnold and Moderator in Image

A Tunnel Vision for Innovation: Motion-Harvesting and Natural Ventilation

Omar Allahham presented a powerful case study on ventilation in complex infrastructure settings—specifically, Beirut’s Salim Salam Tunnel. His work demonstrated how natural ventilation and motion-harvesting techniques can be deployed in urban environments where traditional systems may not be feasible.

Omar emphasised the potential of these emerging techniques to operate in tandem with filtration systems, ensuring more effective pollutant control without excessive energy consumption. He also drew attention to the disproportionate exposure of vulnerable communities—especially children and the elderly—to pollutants in traffic-heavy areas, reinforcing the need for scalable, cost-effective interventions. His reflections on selective filtration technologies offered a glimpse into the future of hybrid systems that blend innovation with inclusivity.

Slide of Omar Allahham with image of tunnel and simulator as well as all the speakers and moderator

Filtration and Adsorption: Tailoring Technologies to Vulnerable Populations

Andreas Scope, speaking on behalf of the LEARN project, offered a structured exploration of filtration and adsorption technologies, focusing on how they can be adapted to protect the most sensitive indoor occupants. His presentation outlined how sensor technologies and real-time data analytics are helping to optimise filtration system performance, particularly in spaces like schools where pollutant exposure can have lasting impacts on cognitive development and health.

Andreas also examined the integration of smart connectivity in air purifiers, emphasising their potential for early detection and timely intervention in the case of harmful indoor pollutants. These tools, he argued, represent a critical bridge between technical innovation and public health outcomes.

Slide from Andreas Scope from the LEARN Project with circle image and different kinds of sizes of contaminants in addition to Andreas Scope and Moderator in Image

From Pilot to Policy: Evidence-Based Solutions from EDIAQI

Dejan Strbad provided a live demo of the EDIAQI filtration pilot, revealing the technology behind the project’s AI-enhanced ventilation system. His presentation offered concrete insights into how machine learning can fine-tune air purification systems to adapt to real-time environmental and user data.

The EDIAQI solution, he explained, is not just a technological achievement—it is also a vehicle for evidence-based policy. By embedding end-user feedback and field data into system design, EDIAQI is laying the groundwork for a policy-ready solution capable of influencing future European IAQ standards. Dejan highlighted how this work contributes to reducing exposure disparities and improving air quality outcomes for those who need it most.

Demo of the Ascalia Digital Twin part of the EDIAQI Filtration Pilot

Panel Discussion: Policy, Participation, and Pathways Forward

The panel discussion brought together key themes from the individual presentations and focused on actionable next steps for European policymakers. Among the consensus points were:

  • Equity-Focused Design: Technologies must be designed with vulnerable populations in mind—children, elderly, chronically ill, and those in underserved environments.
  • Data-Driven Systems: Real-time monitoring and AI-enhanced systems provide the feedback loop necessary for adaptive, responsive, and healthy indoor environments.
  • Collaborative Standard-Setting: Strong industry–academia–policy collaboration is key to scaling effective solutions and embedding them into future EU policy initiatives.
  • Sustainable Innovation: Ventilation strategies must balance health benefits with environmental impact, ensuring solutions are energy-efficient and resource-conscious.

Watch the Full Webinar and Stay Engaged

Watch the full webinar recording on the EDIAQI YouTube channel. The EDIAQI project calls on everyone—from policymakers and researchers to engineers and school administrators—to continue the conversation around ventilation, in all its forms, as part of promoting clean, healthy, and equitable indoor environments.

Looking Ahead: Bridging IAQ Innovation with European Policy

EDIAQI is pleased to announce its next webinar:

This session will explore the growing role of low-cost sensors in indoor air quality monitoring. From calibration challenges to breakthrough innovations, panellists will assess where these technologies shine—and where caution is needed—especially in sensitive environments like schools and homes.

Stay tuned for updates and registration details on the EDIAQI website and social media channels. Join us in advancing smarter, more inclusive IAQ solutions across Europe