World-renowned indoor air quality expert Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska is in New York this week to participate in the UN General Assembly side event titled Healthy Indoor Air – a Global Call to Action.
Professor Morawska, who is director of both the ARC Centre for Advanced Building Systems against Airborne Infection Transmission and QUT’s International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, will join a global gathering of high-level experts from around the world held on 23 September.
Professor Morawska spearheaded the warning from 240 international experts to the World Health Organization about the risk of the COVID-19 virus’ airborne transmission for which she was named in 2021 one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most influential People in the World.
Her scientific work led to the recognition of ultrafine particles in the WHO’s Global Air Quality Guidelines of 2021.
Professor Morawska has continued her research and global advocacy into indoor air quality and building better healthier buildings and indoor spaces, receiving recognition in the form of multiple accolades including being elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Science, a 2023 L-Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Laureate, and a prestigious Australian Academy of Science award.
The UN event brings together speakers from government, UN agencies, academia, health care, education, policy, sustainability and industry to highlight the crucial importance of indoor air quality, showcase best practice and enhance global collaborations.
Acknowledging the gap that indoor air quality holds in most public health frameworks, the attendees will share insights and perspectives on airborne diseases (including those that cause pandemics) and airborne pollutants, such as bushfire smoke and vehicle emissions which cause profound harm to human health.
Professor Morawska co-chairs first-of-its-kind international body for promoting healthy indoor air
In conjunction, Professor Morawska, will take up the position of co-chair of the newly launched Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air, an initiative led by the International WELL Building Institute to combat the worldwide indoor air crisis.
As co-chair, Professor Morawska will help lead the Commission in advancing a Global Framework for Action and catalyzing the development of national blueprints to strengthen indoor air quality efforts around the world.
Professor Morawska said she and colleagues had spent years putting the spotlight on indoor air quality and this initiative would further build awareness and drive momentum around the world.
“With the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air, we are charting the path and building the awareness to bring those solutions into our homes, workplaces and every type of building, so that people everywhere can breathe clean air in all the places and spaces where life happens.”
President and CEO of the International WELL Building Institute Rachel Hodgdon said the organisation was honoured to have Professor Morawska co-chair the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air.
“Given her tremendous knowledge on the topic and her vast network, Professor Morawska brings critical expertise, influence and leadership to the Commission, helping ensure our shared work will advance impactful and actionable solutions across communities worldwide,” Ms Hodgdon said.
The Commission’s Global Framework for Action will be released by the end of 2026, alongside National Blueprints published on a rolling basis.
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Content for this post taken from QUT Media: https://www.qut.edu.au/news?id=201710