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Our Work with IAQ

Participation in IAQ certification is voluntary and is not adequate to address the public health impacts of poor indoor air quality on the population. As of 2024, only around 3,000 of 50,000 buildings have participated in any IAQ certification.

Recent research has also suggested the greatest inhalation cancer risk has shifted from Particulate Matter to Volatile Organic Compounds, which are generally believed to mostly come from indoor pollutants.

Furthermore, the public and policymakers do not recognise the significance of IAQ issues, especially on health implications for vulnerable groups. Despite the fact that private, education, social welfare and health institutions serve large numbers of space users and many of them are sensitive groups to air pollution, venue operators neglect or are unaware of the need for IAQ monitoring, ventilation and maintenance of control measures.

Currently in Hong Kong, expertise and resource spend in IAQ management is concentrated in academic circles and top-tier private companies, leaving the social welfare, education and health sectors underserved and short of knowledge and resources while also having the greatest need and vulnerabilities.
Seeing this policy and awareness gap in addition to shifting health risks, Clean Air Network (CAN) has a goal to strengthen IAQ management in Hong Kong at the government level, the business level and the individual level.

Focus Areas

In the long term, we hope to;

  • Show Hong Kong as a model of addressing IAQ concerns in an area with high density but aging buildings
  • Engage most private companies to strengthen their IAQ management systems to benefit employees, consumers and the general public
  • Target support to vulnerable groups in schools and elderly centres

To achieve this CAN’s focus on the issue of IAQ is targeted towards the following areas;

Gathering knowledge via collaboration with academia

Building connections with partner networks

Communication with key stakeholders and influencers to influence environment and health policy

Raising public awareness to put the issue on the social agenda

Continuing to advocate for change in environmental and health policy in the area of Clean Air

Ongoing Studies

A series of 5 study components is proposed which incorporates a multi-faceted research approaches, including literature reviews, observational data collection and analysis, review of existing solutions, comparative studies, and surveys, to profile the work and experience to date by overseas and local academics, government, public and private institutions on IAQ.

The study components will cover;

Correlation between IAQ and health

Institutional practices and market solutions for IAQ

Mapping air quality data in publicly accessible locations

Review international laws on IAQ to identify best practices and policy gaps in Hong Kong

Ongoing Studies

Significance of the Study Program

Branding of the IAQ initiative to create compelling narratives that enhances awareness and motivates action, builds public awareness

Capacity building including consolidation and sharing of knowledge, expertise, and other resources

Development of mutually beneficial partnerships that align goals across sectors and institutions

Also, the Study Program is critical to advance the following project outcomes

Enhancing understanding among participating institutions on the significance, severity and urgency of IAQ issues, and availability of existing solutions
  • Study Component I will equip decision-makers from target sectors with knowledge of why IAQ management is crucial – as IAQ directly impacts the health and safety of employees, consumers, tenants, and the broader public.
  • Study Components IV and V will share information about the range, costs, and technologies of existing IAQ management solutions, and regulatory framework and guidelines adopted by other jurisdictions.
Enhancing understanding of the common needs and challenges relevant to IAQ management among participating institutions within and across various sectors

Study Component III will share information on the common needs and challenges across various sectors and institutions and identify the information, support or incentives required to address the gaps.

Developing constructive dialogue with policymakers and regulators
  • Study Component II will assess IAQ levels in key publicly accessible locations, the program will foster constructive discussions with government departments to enhance IAQ management of government buildings.
  • The trust and relationship built will further support the development of long term policy roadmap.
  • Study Component I
  • Study Component II
  • Study Component III
  • Study Component IV
  • Study Component V
Study
Literature Review on the Correlation Between Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Health and Safety
Activity
Consolidate international and local researches
Objectives

This study component aims to consolidate international and local researches on the correlation between indoor air quality (IAQ) and health and safety outcomes.

Based on our existing knowledge, there is an extensive study to show the correlation between IAQ and health and safety. This study component aims to build a stronger case locally through profiling the existing study findings which are relevant to context to HK.

The study component will identify potential at-risk occupations, indoor spaces, and communities most affected by poor IAQ, providing insights for potential preventive or mitigative strategies.

The study component will identify potential at-risk occupations, indoor spaces, and communities most affected by poor IAQ, providing insights for potential preventive or mitigative strategies.
The study component aims to provide the knowledge foundation to build awareness and pave the way for further collaboration among stakeholders and policymakers.

Learn more
Full Report
Summary Report
Study
Monitoring of IAQ in publicly accessible locations
Activity
Conduct IAQ data collection and analysis
Objectives

This study component aims to initiate constructive dialogues with the operators of
selected publicly accessible locations and the overall policymakers on IAQ issue,
including the various Government departments – Environmental Protection
Department (EPD), Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), etc.

  • Firstly, by analysing the factors which lead to good levels of IAQ in the publicly

accessible locations through case study, we aim to share knowledge among the target audiences on IAQ management.

  • Secondly, by publicly acknowledging and positively recognising the locations which attain good levels of IAQ, we aim to encourage the Government departments to conduct improvement works to other locations, which are not recognized.
  • Thirdly, through demonstrating the case in which premises attaining EPD’s IAQ Certification Scheme may encounter indoor air pollution exceeding thresholds, we aim to explore the need and feasibility of improvement of the IAQ Certification Scheme which is one of the major tools adopted by the Government to promote the adoption of IAQ management practices across sectors in Hong Kong.

Throughout the process, we also aim to amplify public and other sectors’ understanding of the status of IAQ management in Hong Kong.

Study
Identify common needs and challenges in implementing IAQ management across institutions and sectors
Activity
Conduct survey and interviews with stakeholders
Objectives

This study component aims to identify common needs and challenges associated with implementing IAQ management practices across different sectors and institutions in Hong Kong.
It aims to identify opportunities for addressing gaps in IAQ management and serve as a basis for formulating policy recommendations to improve IAQ management in Hong Kong.

Study
Identify existing solutions for IAQ monitoring, reporting, and improvement
Activity
Map categories of solutions and identify specific solutions from various sources of information
Objectives

This study component aims to map categories of solutions and identify specific solutions for the three key aspects of IAQ management – monitoring, reporting, and improvement and their application across various sectors.

Learn more
Full Report
Summary Report
Study
Review international law on IAQ management across multiple jurisdictions
Activity
Identify legislation and practices via public records
Objectives

The study component aims to identify the range of legislation and practices in various comparable jurisdictions, and the journey for establishing such frameworks.
Through showcasing the importance and feasibility of regulatory frameworks which establish mandatory IAQ standard and require IAQ monitoring and reporting in specific locations, the study also aims to initiate discussion on the implications to Hong Kong.

Learn more
Full Report

Initiatives

Clean Air Network drives Hong Kong’s vision for “Clean Air for All” through four key actions: pushing for stronger policies, engaging businesses, supporting vulnerable groups, and educating the public. We’ve shaped government decisions, partnered with the private sector, and empowered communities to fight air pollution, sparking real improvements in health and air quality.

Initiatives

IAQ Happenings

Our IAQ campaign is based on the idea of 'The 90%', where people spend close to 90% of their time indoors and how much the air they breath all the time affects them.

IAQ Corporate Engagement Program – Recruitment
To drive systemic change in Indoor Air Quality management across Hong Kong, CAN is engaging the business sector in initiatives aimed at raising awareness of IAQ issues among companies, from casual workshops for employees to formal case studies speaking to business leaders.Be part of the movement to improve indoor air quality across Hong Kong.Register within.
Equipped with simple air monitoring tools, you can join a growing community uncovering data that empowers everyone to breathe easier.
Healthy IAQ requires collective efforts to manage, monitor and maintain. This knowledge-sharing event brings together cross-sector stakeholders, including educators, building owners, engineers, ESG professionals and healthcare operators. Together, we will exchange practical, field-tested IAQ solutions tailored to Hong Kong’s climate. Please see details below:

Initiatives

Further Readings

By centralizing resources, we aim to empower policymakers, industry stakeholders, researchers, and the general public with credible information for informed decision-making and effective action.
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