The air we breathe inside our homes, offices and schools has a huge effect on our general health and wellbeing. The authors of the report Indoor Air Quality. The Standards, Risks and Challenges for the Real Estate Market in Poland highlight the scale of the challenges involved in ensuring healthy indoor air and propose practical solutions.
Health risks and regulatory gaps
Poland still lacks legislation on permissible emission levels of hazardous substances from building materials and interior finishes. This means that even when dangerous concentrations of chemicals are detected, the absence of appropriate regulations makes it impossible to take effective measures. However, this is gradually changing, with the market shift being primarily driven by the growing popularity of multi-criteria certification schemes and pressure from investors who are increasingly prioritising compliance with the EU Taxonomy requirements,”
says report co-author Małgorzata Szałek, Sustainable Construction Expert, JWA.
Air quality factors
- Building materials: Emissions of hazardous substances, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints, adhesives, varnishes and other finishing materials.
- Ventilation: Poorly designed or constructed ventilation systems can lead to the accumulation of humidity and mould, and elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide.
- Building practices: Dust and chemical pollutants generated during construction work.
Appropriate materials, airtight buildings, proper ventilation and minimising pollutants on construction sites are fundamental to maintaining a healthy indoor environment. Unfortunately, comprehensive data on the impact of many building materials on air quality is still scarce and the market remains dominated by products that can emit hazardous substances. This highlights the importance of awareness and responsibility among all participants in the construction process,”
says report co-author Marta Promińska, PhD in Architectural Engineering, Sustainability Director, Strabag Sp. z o.o.
Certifications for better air
These certifications are valuable tools, but an informed approach and verification of specific solutions implemented in a building play a key role. Our report looks at the solutions required by various certification schemes to help assess the actual benefits for indoor air quality resulting from each certification. However, even if an investor does not aim to obtain certification, this need not be a barrier to adopting the best market practices outlined in these schemes – something we strongly encourage,”
adds report co-author Julia Faltus-James, ESG Services Manager, Cushman & Wakefield.
Towards healthy buildings
- Selecting low-VOC (volatile organic compound) building materials to reduce the amount of hazardous substances indoors.
- Designing and constructing effective ventilation systems to ensure proper air exchange and the removal of indoor pollutants.
- Controlling and minimising pollutants on construction sites, for example, through effective dust management and proper storage of materials.
- Regularly cleaning and maintaining HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) systems to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria.
Indoor air quality should be prioritised to create healthy and comfortable spaces. This demands a systemic approach that includes making an informed choice of building materials, providing effective ventilation, controlling pollutants and monitoring air parameters in buildings in use. Raising awareness of these factors is key to improving standards across the construction industry”
concludes report co-author Katarzyna Krześniak, ESG Project Manager, Peakside Capital Advisors.
About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2024, the firm reported revenue of $9.4 billion across its core service lines of Services, Leasing, Capital markets, and Valuation and other. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.