Air changes per hour are important in determining if a space is getting adequate ventilation. Additionally, if you have chosen to implement air purifiers to improve air quality and lower the risk of COVID-19, ACH will help you determine which devices are appropriate for your application, as well as how many you need.
Ventilation is important for the indoor air quality (IAQ) inside a building. Improper ventilation can lead to a buildup of pollutants in indoor spaces, which is detrimental to the health of building inhabitants. According to the EPA (1), negative health effects of poor indoor air quality include:
Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
Respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer.
Polluted air also leads to moodiness and decreased productivity for employees and reduced learning for students in school.
Additionally, the EPA asserts that increasing ventilation is an important strategy for decreasing the spread of COVID-19 in public spaces (2).