# Managing and monitoring indoor air quality and surface decontamination in healthcare environments

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how to improve indoor air quality and surface decontamination in healthcare settings to reduce health risks and infections.

## Contribution

The paper proposes an operational guideline combining real-time monitoring and mitigation strategies for better IAQ management in hospitals.

## Key findings

- European regulations on IAQ focus more on individual substances than the overall air environment.
- Real-time monitoring systems are crucial for effective IAQ management in healthcare facilities.
- Combining continuous monitoring with mitigation strategies can reduce exposure and improve safety outcomes.

## Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in healthcare facilities is a critical yet often underestimated factor associated with adverse health effects and increased risk of infectious outbreaks. Key pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and various biological agents such as bacteria and viruses. While numerous variables contribute to IAQ, European regulations still have significant gaps, having historically focused more on individual substances than on the overall air environment. This review examines the most relevant IAQ parameters, current technologies available for their detection, and the regulatory landscape at the European level. Special attention is given to real-time monitoring systems. We also propose a concise operational guideline for IAQ management which combines continuous monitoring, evidence-based mitigation, and improvements to reduce exposure, increase resilience to airborne and surface threats, and produce measurable safety outcomes for patients and healthcare personnel within hospital settings.