Air quality news
Updates on installations, improvements, tests and the 1001 other things we do.
Ozone Levels In Brussels For The Last 10 Years
Did you know that the very air we breathe can be both a shield and a hazard? While ozone high up in the atmosphere protects us from the sun’s harmful rays, ground-level ozone can pose serious health risks. Airscan’s latest decade-long study reveals alarming trends in ozone levels across Brussels, with certain summer days seeing concentrations double the WHO’s recommended limit. Dive into our findings to understand how ozone impacts your environment and discover practical tips to protect yourself during high-pollution days..
Pure Cities: how temperature, wind and rain shape our air
This article explores the seasonal variations in air pollution and the influence of meteorological factors on pollutant concentrations, focusing on data from the “Pure Cities” project in Belgium. Analyzing pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, and NO2, the study highlights how temperature, humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation affect air quality throughout the year. Findings show that pollutant levels tend to rise during colder months due to increased residential heating and reduced dispersion. The article discusses the importance of addressing seasonal pollution through targeted strategies, such as enhancing public transport, promoting green spaces, and aligning regulations with WHO guidelines.
Beats for Planet: Key Findings of 3 Years of Air Quality Monitoring in Belgian Schools
3 Years of Beats for Planet: this is what we know about air quality in Belgian schools! If you have been following Airscan for a while, you will definitely know Beats for Planet. Airscan launched this project with Belfius three years ago with the aim of helping schools improve their air quality. In the framework of this project, Airscan has collected and analyzed data from 72 schools around Belgium for three indoor pollutants: carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). This is what we found..
Urban green spaces and Car Free day: can parks help purify our air?
Air quality plays a vital role in the overall health and well-being of urban populations. Clean air is essential for maintaining respiratory and cardiovascular health, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions. However, urban environments are often hotspots for air pollution, much of which is caused by traffic emissions. The day without cars takes place annually in Brussels, to promote and encourage its citizens to use more sustainable modes of transportation with the goal of reducing these emissions. This venture is of the utmost importance, as emissions in the city can reach consequential concentrations, harming our health and environment.
Wood Hub: WELL Pre-Test (Indoor Air and Water Quality)
Airscan was mandated by BPI to assess indoor air quality conditions and water quality in the Wood Hub building prior to the WELL certification (WELL pre-test). The results of this pre-testing will be used by the project team as input for the upcoming actual WELL certification of the building…
Mastercard x Airscan: BREEAM certification
Mastercard’s newly renovated HQ in Belgium set high standards for sustainability, aiming for BREEAM certification. Here’s how Airscan played a crucial role in helping the banking pioneer to achieve this goal. Let’s dive into the details of the project.
Beats for Planet: Schools have their say
Beats for Planet is celebrating its third anniversary. During this period, Airscan and Belfius have helped 75 schools in Belgium to map and improve air quality, both inside and outside the school.
Denys: Air Quality Tests In Prison Village
The Haren prison village represents one of Belgium’s recent initiatives to address issues related to overcrowded prisons and deteriorating penitentiary infrastructure. The Haren facility is designed to accommodate 1,190 detainees. In addition to the prison overcrowding problem, the project targeted to achieve the maximum ratio between health, indoor well-being, and comfort with a minimum environmental impact following an “Energy Neutral Building” concept. The project was built on a 15-hectare site near Brussels and comprised 17 building units of 116,000 m2…
When Sustainability Drives Building Design and Construction: The Role of Green Building Certification
The increasing amount of time people spend indoors, which often exceeds 85% of their day or roughly 20 hours, has heightened awareness around the quality of indoor environments. As a result, issues such as indoor air quality, lighting (both color and intensity), thermal comfort, and acoustic levels have become critical areas of focus. These factors are not only essential for health and well-being but also significantly influence tenants’ productivity and concentration. Given the importance of these factors, developers and building owners are increasingly turning to the concept of green buildings. This approach focuses on creating sustainable, healthy indoor environments that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. To achieve these standards, many are pursuing certifications such as WELL, BREEAM, LEED…
