part of Indoor air quality
Sarah West shared insights from our research investigating indoor air quality in homes and schools as part of a panel on ‘Air pollution and healthcare: equipping professionals for action at the UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) conference in Manchester. Hertfordshire County Council shared a poster (see below) on our joint project evaluating the use of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air filter) units on air quality in primary schools.
Opening windows regularly and maintaining ventilation systems can enhance indoor air quality.
Photo: Parsoa Khorsand / Unsplash
The UKHSA’s annual conference comprised two days of inspiring keynotes, insightful discussions and networking opportunities, as delegates explore the latest advancements in public health. This year, the theme was equity in health protection: addressing inequalities, saving lives.
Sarah West contributed to a panel on air pollution and healthcare on the first day of the conference. The session consisted of three short presentations to contextualize the issues, followed by an interactive discussion with all panelists. Sarah drew on her work on indoor air quality through projects including SAMHE (Schools’ Air Quality Monitoring for Health and Education) and INGENIOUS (Understanding the sources, transformations and fates of indoor air pollutants).
Ensuring healthcare professionals are equipped with the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to integrate air quality within person-centred conversations and consultations was one of a series of recommendations made by England’s Chief Medical Officer in his 2022 annual report on air pollution.
Through presentations and expert-led discussion, attendees will hear about the latest healthcare professional resources and activities on air pollution. By encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and empowering professionals to act, this session seeks to help strengthen the role of healthcare in promoting cleaner air and healthier communities.
Hertfordshire County Council presented the initial results of our joint project SAMHE+HSVP. The Council is trialing HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air filter) units in primary schools and we’re helping them evaluate the impact on air quality. Using HEPA filters in classrooms has significantly improved air quality, with approximately 30% reduction in the concentration of particulate matter.
Use the link below to download the poster.
Poster sharing methods and findings from the SAMHE+HSVP project
Poster: Hertfordshire County Council
See the full conference program on the UKHSA Conference 2025 website.
Project / A citizen science project monitoring indoor air, created with and for UK schools.
Project / This project investigates air pollutants inside homes in the city of Bradford, UK: their sources, interactions and health effects on those living there.
Project / We worked with Hertfordshire County Council, using SAMHE to evaluate how using HEPA filters in schools affects air quality.
Other publication / This two-page brief brings together SAMHE's findings and other evidence on air quality in UK schools and makes recommendations for policy and practice.
Past event / Sarah West and others explored how research can support evidence for better ventilation, including our work in UK schools. Watch the recording.
Feature / Discover practical steps to reduce exposure and improve indoor air quality as shared by the INGENIOUS project at the UK Clean Air Conference.
