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We ideally drink approx. 2 litres of water a day. We breathe 11,000 litres of air a day. We are conscious of what we put into our bodies with regards to food (healthy eating) and drink (clean water) etc. - but do we think about the air we breathe? We spend 90% of our lives indoors… Every organ in the human body - from our hearts to our skin - is impacted by the air we breathe… So the quality of indoor air could not be more important for our health.

If you’re interested in how we can breathe better air in our indoor environments listen to this week’s guest Francesca Brady, Forbes 30 under 30, Management Today 35 under 35 winner of the Veuve Clicquot BOLD Future Award at the Bold Woman Awards, and co-founder of AirRated whose purpose is to improve indoor air quality and create healthier indoor environments from homes to offices to schools.

Francesca shares how we can create cleaner air for everyone, and how we can be bolder in leading the way to a better future for all. Her work focuses on making the invisible—air quality—visible and actionable.

AirRated assesses the current state of indoor environments, offering tailored solutions to improve air quality. This includes understanding specific issues like dust, traffic fumes, or gases and recommending behavioural, operational, and mechanical changes to address them. This holistic approach demystifies air quality, making it accessible and less overwhelming.

Francesca emphasises the need to start by educating ourselves and others about the importance of indoor air quality. By understanding the significant impact it has on health and productivity, we can begin to make informed decisions and advocate for change.

Regular monitoring is another critical action. Implementing regular checks on air quality in homes and workplaces ensures that any issues can be identified and addressed promptly. Utilizing tools and sensors to gather accurate data is essential for maintaining healthy indoor environments.

Advocacy plays a significant role in driving change. Francesca suggests encouraging workplaces and public spaces to adopt better air quality practices. By pushing for policies that support healthier environments, we can create a ripple effect that extends beyond our immediate surroundings.

Recognising that different spaces have different air quality issues is also crucial. Tailoring solutions to address specific problems, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, ensures that interventions are effective and relevant. This can involve assessing the types of pollutants present and implementing measures that specifically target those issues.

Focusing on prevention is another key strategy. Monitoring factors like temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels can help prevent issues such as mold from developing. By staying proactive, we can maintain healthier indoor spaces and avoid more significant problems down the line.

Taking personal responsibility for the spaces we can control is an empowering step. Making changes at home and being vocal about the importance of air quality in other spaces we frequent sets a positive example and encourages others to follow suit.

Collaboration is vital for amplifying our impact. Working with others who share our goals, whether they are organizations, institutions, or individuals, can lead to more significant and widespread changes. By pooling resources and knowledge, we can tackle air quality issues more effectively.

Embracing innovation in addressing air quality problems is another way to be bold. Utilising the latest technology and research to find effective solutions can lead to significant improvements. Staying informed about new developments and being open to adopting new methods can drive progress.

Implementing educational programmes in schools and communities helps raise awareness from a young age. By educating children about the importance of air quality, we can foster a generation that is more conscious and proactive about maintaining healthy environments.

Advocating for policies that enforce regular air quality assessments and improvements in public and private spaces is a long-term strategy that can lead to systemic change. By working towards legislative support, we can ensure that air quality remains a priority and that measures are in place to protect public health.

Francesca's insights on indoor air quality highlight the importance of awareness and action. By educating ourselves and others, monitoring our environments, advocating for better practices, recognising specific issues, focusing on prevention, taking personal responsibility, collaborating, embracing innovation, implementing educational programs, and advocating for policies, we can create healthier indoor spaces and lead the way to a better future.

Top 10 actionable steps:

1. Educate and Raise Awareness: Start by educating yourself and others about the importance of indoor air quality. Understand the impact it has on health and productivity.

2. Regular Monitoring: Implement regular checks on air quality in homes and workplaces. Use tools and sensors to get accurate data.

3. Advocate for Better Practices: Encourage workplaces and public spaces to adopt better air quality practices. Push for policies that support healthier environments.

4. Tailored Solutions: Recognize that different spaces have different air quality issues. Tailor solutions to address specific problems rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

5. Preventative Measures: Focus on prevention. Monitor temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels to prevent issues like mold.

6. Personal Responsibility: Take personal responsibility for the spaces you can control. Make changes at home and be vocal about the importance of air quality in other spaces you frequent.

7. Collaboration: Work with others who share your goals. Collaborate with organizations and institutions to amplify your impact.

8. Innovation: Embrace innovation in addressing air quality. Use the latest technology and research to find effective solutions.

9. Education Programs: Implement educational programs in schools and communities to raise awareness from a young age.

10. Policy Advocacy: Advocate for policies that enforce regular air quality assessments and improvements in public and private spaces.

Francesca Brady's insights on indoor air quality highlight the importance of awareness and action. By educating ourselves and others, monitoring our environments, and advocating for better practices, we can create healthier indoor spaces and lead the way to a better future.

PS. Listen HERE to FRANCESCA’s journey on BRAVE NEW GIRLS podcast to hear how she helps us help the planet.