Improving indoor air quality: insights from the 2024 UK Clean Air Conference

The 2024 UKRI/Met Office Clean Air Conference in Birmingham on 2–3 October welcomed over 150 researchers, policymakers, industry experts and nonprofits to address air quality challenges in the UK. Themed “Analysis and solutions: responding to the clean air challenge,” the conference focused on the urgent issue of air pollution and explored innovative solutions to improve air quality. The event showcased UKRI clean air strategic priority fund (SPF) research, which includes INGENIOUS.

David Shaw, a member of the INGENIOUS team, studies indoor air quality using a detailed chemical model called INCHEM-Py. He predicts how pollutants created by indoor activities evolve indoors. He is currently working to improve and expand the model, design experiments to reduce uncertainties, and develop ways to visualize complex processes. Recently, he has used over 3.5 million data points gathered from INGENIOUS households to estimate how long windows should be opened to reduce exposure to pollution created when cooking. He is also working with a team to examine emissions from different cooking methods, such as making curries and stir-fries, to understand how cooking without proper ventilation affects indoor air quality. Although his research is still in its early stages, he shared insights from his ongoing work at the conference.

Other INGENIOUS team members shared their ongoing research. For instance, Sari Budisulistiorini presented a novel mobile air quality device that measures the impact of indoor pollution on outdoor air. Her findings emphasize how mobile monitoring can quickly assess pollution in specific areas, particularly around homes and buildings, estimating the contribution of indoor sources to outdoor air quality. Lia Chatzidiakou’s study of thermal comfort and air quality in 300 Bradford homes employed novel network methodologies to identify particulate matter sources and their health impacts, underscoring that many homes exceed WHO pollution guidelines. Meanwhile, Yunqi Shao investigated the chemical characteristics of indoor air aerosols (PM2.5) and provided insights into the primary sources contributing to indoor air pollution in Bradford homes. His research revealed that the selected target sources – such as emissions from wood burning, cooking, candle burning, diesel engines and cleaning products – do not fully account for all the organic compounds found in homes. Additionally, Chantelle Wood addressed public perceptions of air quality, noting that many individuals believed their indoor air was cleaner and less harmful than outdoor air.

The conference also provided an opportunity to reflect on research gaps, validate project engagement trajectories, and review sustainability actions as projects near their completion. Participants emphasized the importance of public engagement and stakeholder involvement in developing effective air quality policies.

In her keynote speech, Judith Petts, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Plymouth, highlighted the importance of collaboration and co-production in research development and its implementation: “Science is too important to be left to the scientific community alone.” She emphasized that collaboration between the government, scientists and diverse stakeholders is essential for effectively addressing air pollution in the UK. Supporting this, Sarah West, Centre Director of SEI at the University of York, reflected on the benefits of involving stakeholders in the SAMHE and INGENIOUS projects. In West’s extensive experience, “co-creating research with those it affects, and fostering dialogue among the public, researchers, and decision-makers throughout the project lifecycle helps ensure that any proposed interventions are effective and equitable.”

The UK Clean Air Conference provided a valuable platform for experts and stakeholders to share knowledge, ideas, and best practices. As the UK and the world continue to grapple with the challenges of air pollution, the conference served as a reminder of the urgent need for collective action, innovative solutions, and increased public engagement. As Alastair Lewis put it in his Martin Williams Memorial Lecture as the conference concluded, “Most wins have been taken already – we just have to lower emissions. There is no other way.”