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The document advocates for the use of ventilation, filtration, disinfection, and monitoring to mitigate the spread of airborne biological threats. It highlights that clean indoor air serves as a 'day-zero defense' when medical countermeasures are unavailable and is essential for maintaining military readiness and cognitive performance. The brief details specific technologies, such as HEPA filters and far-UVC light, and notes the current inadequacies in ventilation within federal and military facilities.

Buildings account for 18% of Canada's GHG emissions, with residential space heating as the primary energy driver. The document argues that deep energy retrofits (DERs)—defined as achieving a minimum 50% reduction in energy consumption—are essential for net-zero targets. While high upfront costs are a barrier, the green building industry could contribute CAD 150 billion to the economy by 2030, with annual energy bill savings estimated at CAD 10.8 billion. The brief recommends adopting the highest tier of the National Building Code, implementing innovative financing like Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), and scaling prefabricated retrofit models like Energiesprong.

The document examines the intersection of climate change, housing quality, and health in Toronto, proposing that an equity-focused Building Emissions Performance Standards (BEPS) policy can mitigate health risks for marginalized communities. It highlights how retrofits—such as switching from gas to electric heating and stoves, improving insulation, and adding mechanical ventilation—can reduce asthma risks, protect against extreme temperature events, and lower outdoor air pollution. The brief warns against the risks of tenant displacement and 'renovictions' and recommends strong tenant protections, the creation of Community Accountability Boards, and the integration of health metrics into BEPS monitoring to ensure benefits are shared equitably.

A letter from medical professionals to Vancouver City Council arguing against the use of natural gas in new builds due to indoor air pollution, climate impacts, and the health risks associated with fracking.

The report highlights a critical gap in US public health policy: the lack of comprehensive, science-based indoor air quality (IAQ) guidelines. While the US regulates outdoor air via the Clean Air Act, indoor environments—where people spend approximately 90% of their time—remain largely unregulated. The document details how pollutants like nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves and wildfire smoke exacerbate health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. It reviews existing international models from the WHO and Health Canada, and limited US efforts in states like California and Texas. RMI recommends that the EPA use its authority under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) to develop federal guidelines, which could then inform building codes, product safety standards, and electrification efforts to reduce combustion pollution.

The document argues that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of floods, which leads to damp buildings and the growth of mold. This process degrades indoor air quality and poses significant respiratory and mental health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. It highlights that mold can grow on absorbent materials within two to three days after a flood and notes that in the U.S., up to 20% of common respiratory infections may be attributed to dampness and mold.

The document assesses air quality in 16 Cambodian garment factories, finding that while many meet national standards, some exceed WHO guidelines, particularly those using wood fuel. It highlights a significant gap in worker awareness, where most associate air pollution with temperature rather than chemical or particulate pollutants, despite reporting symptoms like coughing and headaches. The brief emphasizes the gendered nature of the sector, noting that 80% of the workforce are women, and calls for gender-responsive health and safety policies, especially for pregnant workers.

The study identifies fuel type, kitchen volume, cooking methods, and ventilation as the primary drivers of in-kitchen particulate matter exposure in low-income homes across 12 global cities. The highest concentrations were found in Dhaka, driven by small kitchen size and extensive frying, while the lowest were in Medellín. The research highlights that charcoal use significantly increases PM2.5 levels compared to natural gas or LPG, and that dual ventilation (mechanical and natural) is more effective at reducing pollutants than natural ventilation alone.

The brief asserts that gas appliances release harmful pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and carbon monoxide (CO), which lead to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. It highlights that indoor pollution levels can be significantly higher than outdoor levels and that vulnerable populations, particularly children and communities of color, are disproportionately affected. Furthermore, it argues that gas appliances contribute to outdoor air pollution and climate change through the emission of criteria pollutants and methane, with methane leaks from stoves and water heaters potentially reaching 110 Gg per year. The document concludes that building electrification is a critical public health intervention that can provide substantial monetized health benefits, estimated at $3.5 billion annually for California.

The document argues that electrifying homes and businesses is a critical pathway to net-zero emissions, noting that these buildings account for 13% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights high-efficiency heat pumps, smart thermostats, and weatherization as key upgrades that can reduce emissions and lower utility bills. The brief emphasizes that while individual actions are important, systemic support through government incentives, building codes, and financing is necessary to overcome barriers, particularly for low-income households and renters in multifamily housing.

The document highlights how Colorado developers are adopting all-electric designs for affordable housing to reduce climate impact and operational costs. Through projects like Oxford Vista, Kestrel, and 30 Pearl Street, it shows that avoiding gas infrastructure can offset upfront costs and provide long-term savings in utilities and maintenance. These developments also improve indoor air quality and equity for low-income tenants while aligning with Colorado's state-level greenhouse gas reduction goals and city-level net-zero plans.

The document outlines eight benefits of building electrification in the United States, asserting it is the only established way to eliminate carbon pollution from residential and commercial heating and cooking. It highlights that all-electric homes are cheaper to build than mixed-fuel homes, improve indoor air quality—particularly for children and marginalized communities—and can create millions of jobs. The text dismisses alternatives like renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen, and synthetic methane as too costly or limited in scale, while noting that nearly 60 percent of new US homes are already built all-electric.

The research evaluates in-home emissions from rocket-style biomass stoves, forced draft gasifiers, and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) stoves in rural India. Utilizing a sample of 253 in-home emission tests—the largest of its kind and the first large-scale study of LPG stoves—the study examines the impact of these stoves on household air pollution and the climate, specifically regarding the release of carbon dioxide and methane.

The document highlights that pesticides persist longer indoors due to a lack of sunlight and microbial action, yet Canadian regulatory assessments for indoor use do not require the same persistence or environmental fate studies as outdoor uses. It notes that pyrethrins and pyrethroids are the most common indoor pesticides and are linked to neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. The briefing emphasizes that low-income individuals face higher exposure due to poorly maintained housing and that current regulatory models fail to account for these socio-economic factors. It concludes that reliance on pesticide labels is insufficient due to poor communication of updates and high rates of non-compliance among professional pest control operators.

The document identifies three primary transmission modes for SARS-CoV-2: direct physical contact, intermediate inanimate objects, and respiratory droplets or aerosols. It highlights that fine particles (<10 µm) can reach pulmonary alveoli, while larger droplets (>100 µm) contribute primarily to contact transmission. Environmental factors such as low temperatures and specific relative humidity levels are noted to increase virus survival, while solar ultraviolet radiation acts as a natural virucide. The report discusses correlations between high levels of atmospheric pollutants, such as NO2 and PM2.5, and increased COVID-19 mortality and incidence in regions including Northern Italy, Spain, China, and the United States, suggesting that pollution may predispose individuals to more severe infections.

The document identifies three primary transmission routes for SARS-CoV-2: direct physical contact, intermediate inanimate objects, and respiratory droplets or aerosols. It highlights that indoor environments significantly increase contagion risk and that climatic factors like low temperature and specific relative humidity levels can enhance virus survival. A substantial portion of the text examines the correlation between air pollution—specifically NO2 and PM2.5—and increased COVID-19 mortality and incidence in regions such as Northern Italy, Spain, China, and the US. It also discusses the potential role of global warming in altering transmission patterns through changes in human behavior and animal migration.

The briefing explores the emergence of 'vid-checks'—live video-call interfaces used to conduct home assessments for energy, air quality, and resilience. It details the process of these virtual visits, the benefits for both residents (such as lower costs and increased agency) and providers (such as reduced travel costs and safety), and the limitations of the approach, including accessibility for people with mobility disabilities and technical connectivity issues. The text highlights early adopters like Energy New England, Abode Energy, and CLEAResult as examples of industry innovation in response to pandemic lockdowns.

The study applies microenvironmental modelling in Accra, Ghana, to determine personal PM2.5 exposure. It finds that charcoal cooking significantly increases exposure for women and children compared to LPG, with residential cooking accounting for over 60% of total exposure in charcoal-using households.

The report finds that the incremental cost of building ZER homes is modest, averaging 1.8%, while ZE homes average a 7.3% premium. These costs often fall below consumer willingness-to-pay and mortgage-savings thresholds. The analysis identifies heat pumps, LED lighting, and ENERGY STAR appliances as cost-optimal measures and projects that ZE incremental costs will drop to 3.1%–5.5% by 2030 due to declining solar PV costs and efficiency gains. It emphasizes the need for skilled labor training and supportive policy frameworks to accelerate adoption across various US climate zones.

The briefing examines the link between indoor air quality (IAQ) and home energy performance, suggesting that healthcare providers can improve patient well-being by recommending energy upgrades. It highlights that poor IAQ costs the U.S. economy over $10 billion annually and notes that specific improvements—such as controlled ventilation, humidity control, and building envelope sealing—can reduce allergens and mold. The document promotes a partnership between RMI and NEEF to provide health professionals with educational materials, including the 'Health Heroes' infographic, to encourage homeowners to invest in energy-efficient upgrades that reduce carbon emissions and improve health.