This Air Quality Awareness Week, the spotlight is once again on pollution, and with good reason. The American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air report reveals that nearly half of Americans—more than 156 million people—live in areas with unhealthy air. That’s the highest figure in over a decade, fueled by growing concerns over wildfires, industrial emissions, and extreme weather.
But here’s what get overlooked: Most of the air we breathe isn’t outside. It’s inside—our homes, offices, schools, and public buildings. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. Yet, indoor air quality (IAQ) is often an afterthought, despite being five times more polluted than outdoor air—and sometimes up to 100 times worse.
While the focus on outdoor smog and smoke is important, it tells only part of the story. If we truly care about long-term health, it’s time to shift our attention indoors, because that’s where the majority of our exposure is happening.
The Hidden Health Costs of Stale, Polluted Indoor Air
Indoor air pollution isn’t always visible, but its effects are serious. Fumes from cooking, cleaning products, off-gassing from furniture and carpets, mold, bacteria, and fine particles from outside can all build up—especially in poorly ventilated spaces or buildings with outdated HVAC systems. Unlike outdoor air, indoor air isn’t regularly monitored and regulated.
The health impacts are wide-ranging. Poor IAQ can trigger asthma, worsen allergies, contribute to heart and lung disease, and even impair cognitive function. In schools, it’s linked to higher absenteeism and lower test scores. In offices, its tied to headaches, fatigue, and decreased concentration—symptoms often labeled “sick building syndrome.” Vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and those with respiratory conditions, face the greatest risks.
“Wildfires, extreme heat, and rising pollution are reshaping how we think about air,” says Audwin Cash, CEO of GPS Air. “Basic filtration isn’t enough anymore. We need intelligent systems that verify performance and help commercial spaces adapt to a changing world.”
Even modern buildings may fall short. Traditional HVAC systems are designed to regulate temperature and humidity, not to filter out pollutants or purify air in real-time. As a result, most systems operate on fixed schedules based on assumed occupancy levels, not actual quality conditions.
A Smarter, Healthier Way Forward
Fortunately, new solutions are already making a difference. Advances in air purification technology allow building operators to improve air quality without sacrificing energy efficiency. “Smart air” systems use real-time sensors to monitor indoor pollutants and activate purification when needed. They don’t just circulate air—they clean it when and where it’s needed.
Here are five ways smart air strategies can improve indoor environments while also saving energy:
- Don’t just run the fans—clean smarter. Bringing in outdoor air constantly can drive up energy costs. Pairing indoor air cleaning with smart sensors allows purification to happen only when needed—reducing both costs and pollution exposure.
- Measure what matters. While CO₂ monitor is a useful baseline, it won’t detect harmful particles or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Look for multi-pollutant sensors that track pollutants like formaldehyde, smoke, and fine dust.
- Connect your air system to your building controls. Choose purification technology that integrates with your building automation system so you can monitor and manage IAQ without adding complexity to your operations.
- Stay ahead of bad air days. Wildfire smoke, seasonal allergens, and ozone spikes can all degrade indoor air. Smart systems can adjust in real time as air quality worsens—without relying on guesswork.
- Save energy while protecting people. Many assume better air quality comes at a high energy cost. In fact, reducing the need for continuous outdoor air exchange, smart purification can lighten HVAC loads and lower utility bills.
In schools, these improvements can mean fewer sick days and better learning conditions. In workplaces, they support employee health and productivity. And in homes, they bring peace of mind, especially for families with children or elderly loved ones.
Air Quality Awareness Week is the perfect time to ask: What are we doing about the air we breathe indoors?
A Shift in Expectations
The pandemic brought indoor air into the spotlight—but attention has waned. That’s a problem. IAQ isn’t a temporary issue—it affects daily life and long-term wellbeing. Unlike outdoor air, which is widely regulated and discussed, indoor air remains largely invisible—unmonitored, unmanaged, and underestimated.
Clean indoor air should be a basic expectation, like clean water. It should be measured, verified, and maintained, not left to chance. As Cash puts it, “We believe clean air isn’t a luxury—it’s a right.”
Whether you’re a facilities manager, a business leader, or a school administrator, the message is clear: It’s time to take control of the air inside your building. The tools are available, the health benefits are proven, and there’s no better time than Air Quality Awareness Week to start the conversation.
Because when it comes to protecting our health, the air inside matters most.