Indoor Air Quality: Monitoring, Control, and Modeling

Most people spend the majority of their time indoors, yet indoor environments often harbor higher concentrations of pollutants than the air outside. Understanding how to assess, model, and mitigate these risks is essential for public health, building design, and environmental safety. This comprehensive text-based course guides you through the foundational science of indoor air quality. You will transition from understanding basic chemical and biological pollutants to actively analyzing monitoring strategies, applying mathematical models, and implementing modern ventilation and filtration controls. What you'll learn: Identify major sources of indoor air pollution, including volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and biological agents; Understand the health and physiological effects of poor indoor air quality on occupants; Evaluate modern monitoring technologies, including low-cost IoT sensors and reference-grade instruments; Apply mass-balance equations and modeling concepts to predict pollutant concentrations over time; Design effective control strategies using mechanical ventilation, advanced filtration, and source-control methodologies; Analyze indoor airflow patterns and pollutant transport mechanisms using fundamental engineering principles. The course begins with core definitions and health standards before moving into practical monitoring protocols. You will then explore mathematical modeling techniques and finish with real-world control solutions and ventilation strategies. This course is designed for beginners, environmental science students, facility managers, and building designers seeking a structured, conceptual introduction to indoor air quality management, with no prior engineering or modeling experience required. Start reading today to master the fundamentals of indoor air quality engineering.