A Breath of Clean Air: Building Climate Resilience by Improving Indoor Air Quality
Join us for A Breath of Clean Air, a workshop to learn how to improve indoor air quality and make our indoor environments more resilient to the impacts of air pollution and climate change.
We spend around 90% of our time indoors, breathing in air that many of us assume is safe and healthy. Unfortunately, due to a lack of regulations, the air in our shared spaces may not be as clean as we think, and oftentimes, it can be highly polluted. Because clean air is essential for good physical and mental health, learning how to make indoor air clean and safe-to-breathe is an integral part of building climate resilience. This workshop provides an opportunity to learn the basics of indoor air quality and get hands-on experience with easy, accessible tools and methods to make the air we breathe safer.
This event begins with an engaging 60-minute presentation by chemist and science communicator Louise Hidinger, Ph.D. We will take a closer look at sources of air pollution from inside a building, and how the growing burden of outdoor air pollution due to climate change and human activity makes its way into our inside spaces, and ultimately into our bodies. Next, we will discuss the current landscape for ventilation and air quality standards, and explore reasons why this issue has been neglected. After the presentation, participants will be invited to get hands-on experience by engaging with three interactive exhibits: different types of IAQ monitors, air filtration equipment for cleaning the air, and examples of mask designs.
After attending this session, participants will understand what good indoor air quality looks like, acceptable ranges for various air pollutants, sources of air pollution, and how to reduce exposure. Participants will also understand the importance of ventilation, air filtration, and IAQ monitoring, and how to use these tools to improve the air quality in their surroundings.
About the Host: Clean Indoor Air Toronto is a grassroots organization that is dedicated to improving indoor air quality in our built environments. We advocate for the development and implementation of IAQ policy to ensure equitable access to clean, safe-to-breathe air. Alongside our advocacy, we provide information, resources, and workshops to promote awareness of IAQ as an integral part of increasing climate resilience in communities.
This event is not hosted by or sponsored by the Toronto Public Library.
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