We test our drinking water before pouring a glass. We inspect buildings before moving in. We glance at the fuel gauge before heading out. But when it comes to the air we breathe indoors, where we spend nearly 90% of our time, we often just hope for the best.
That needs to change. Treating indoor air like a utility—something measured, monitored, and managed—raises the bar for healthy, high-performing buildings.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) has emerged as one of the most important public health topics of our time. With rising concerns about airborne viruses, wildfire smoke, and urban pollution, clean indoor air is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s a necessity—and yet, most builders and facility operations teams don’t treat it that way.
“We believe in making the invisible visible,” says Audwin Cash, CEO of GPS Air, which develops smart indoor air quality systems. “You shouldn’t have to guess what’s in the air you’re breathing. You should know—and have the ability to adjust accordingly”
So what’s holding us back? In many cases, it’s simple: most buildings aren’t measuring their air in the first place.
We Can’t Improve What We Don’t Measure
Here’s the truth: just because your building’s HVAC system is running doesn’t mean your air is clean. In fact, many HVAC systems were never designed to actively monitor or adjust for real-time air quality needs. They focus on heating and cooling—not health.
Without measurement, building operators are flying blind. Filters might be replaced on schedule, and equipment might be serviced regularly, but those efforts don’t provide insight into what’s happening in the air throughout the day. And air quality can change fast.
A crowded meeting room can cause carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels to spike, reducing focus and energy. A freshly cleaned classroom may contain elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from disinfectants. A busy gym packed with active people can generate fine particles that linger and circulate. These changes are invisible, but they matter.
“You wouldn’t just assume your electric vehicle is charged without checking the dashboard,” Cash explains. “Indoor air should be no different. You need to measure it.”
Some of the most important air quality indicators include:
- CO₂: Elevated levels can lead to fatigue and brain fog, especially in confined spaces.
- PM2.5: Tiny airborne particles can lodge deep in the lungs and are linked to heart and respiratory issues.
- VOCs: Gases released from everyday materials like cleaning supplies, paint, and furniture can irritate the eyes and airways—and even pose long-term health problems.
- Temperature and Humidity: While not inherently pollutants, they can contribute to mold growth and airborne transmission of viruses when out of balance.
Continuous monitoring allows building managers to go from reactive to proactive—solving air quality issues before they affect health, performance, or comfort.
From Passive Air to Smart Air
Monitoring is just the start. The real impact comes when data drives action.
That’s the idea behind smart air systems—also called “closed-loop” purification. These systems don’t just collect data; they automatically respond to it. When CO₂ levels rise, ventilation increases. When particles or VOCs are detected, filtration ramps up. And when the air stabilizes, the system powers down to save energy.
This is a significant shift from older, static systems that run full-speed on fixed schedules—often wasting energy or missing problems entirely.
“Smart purification isn’t about running machines nonstop,” Cash explains. “It’s about responding in real time—and proving that what you’re doing is working.”
Smart air systems built on real-time monitoring and responsive filtration are already making a measurable impact across sectors:
- In schools, they’ve been linked to fewer student absences and more focused learning environments.
- In offices, cleaner air supports improved cognitive performance, employee morale, and even retention.
- In industrial settings, better air quality contributes to regulatory compliance, safer work conditions, and reduced energy use.
With visual dashboards and performance reporting, facilities teams can demonstrate exactly how air quality is being managed—building trust with occupants and creating a culture of transparency and care.
Breathing Shouldn’t Be a Risk
If there’s one takeaway this Air Quality Awareness Week, it’s this: clean indoor air should be a standard, not a guessing game.
We live in an age of transparency. Employees want to know their workplace is safe. Parents want assurance their children are protected at school. Patients want hospitals that prioritize both healing and hygiene. The organizations that understand this shift are gaining a clear advantage.
“Clean indoor air isn’t a luxury—it’s a right,” says Cash. “But it only becomes a reality when it’s tracked, tested, and trusted.”
As you consider your indoor activities and environments this week, ask yourself a few simple questions:
- Is the air being measured?
- Are we responding to changes when they happen?
- Can we see and verify the results?
Air quality that’s only assumed—not measured—isn’t good enough. Measurably better air should be the standard—and it’s well within reach.