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Open research questions in Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure

103 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 529 Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The study identifies the challenge of mitigating anthropogenic emissions and promoting healthier built environments. The challenge of integrating sustainability, biodiversity, and human health using AI-assisted approaches to improve Indoor Environmental Quality is noted. The study highlights the need for data-driven insights into the long-term consequences of material choices and sustainable alternatives.

    Integrating Sustainability, Biodiversity, and Human Health to Improve Indoor University Spaces: A Comparative Case Study Using Real-Time Environmental Monitoring and AI-Driven Analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of understanding of how air purifiers, air change rates, and teacher behavior impact indoor air quality in naturally ventilated schools. The need to identify opportunities to improve indoor air quality and reduce pollutant levels in schools.

    How teacher behaviors and perceptions, air change rates, and portable air purifiers affect indoor air quality in naturally ventilated schools · 2024 · DOI

  • The complexity of sampling and analyzing bacteria from air conditioners. The need to develop effective methods for reducing bacterial contamination in air conditioners. The challenge of understanding the potential health risks associated with bacterial contamination from air conditioners.

    Bacterial contamination in the different parts of household air conditioners: a comprehensive evaluation from Chengdu, Southwest China · 2024 · DOI

  • The lack of comprehensive evaluation of bacterial contamination in different parts of air conditioners. The need to understand the bacterial characteristics and potential health risks associated with air conditioners.

    Bacterial contamination in the different parts of household air conditioners: a comprehensive evaluation from Chengdu, Southwest China · 2024 · DOI

  • Though the strength of these processes has direct indoor air quality implications, comprehensive model descriptions of how commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems affect indoor aerosol composition are lacking.

    The development and evaluation of an air handling unit (AHU) module that simulates temperature and humidity dependent organic and inorganic gas–particle repartitioning · 2026 · DOI

  • These results highlight the crucial impact of indoor emissions, especially from VCPs, on ambient air quality and the need for further research into indoor-to-outdoor pollutant transfer mechanisms to address urban air pollution.

    Volatile organic compound emissions from a multi-unit residential building to ambient air · 2025 · DOI

  • Residential areas are an important source of VCPs in the urban environment, though few studies have examined the emission of VCPs in metropolitan areas from subtropical regions.

    Quantifying ambient concentration and emission profile of D5-siloxane of a residential neighborhood in the Greater Houston area · 2025 · DOI

  • Digital-use hygiene paired with brief offline activities may offer a scalable student well-being strategy, especially in resource-limited settings; multi-site factorial trials with longer follow-up are warranted.

    From screens to serenity: evaluating the effect of digital detox on mental and physiological health · 2025 · DOI

  • Airborne bacterial aerosols are a significant yet understudied component of intensive poultry farming, particularly in cold climates.

    Distribution of Aerosol Bacteria in Broiler Houses at Different Growth Stages During Winter · 2025 · DOI

  • There is a need to assess the microbial air quality in hospitals in Nigeria. The study aims to fill this gap by investigating the levels of airborne bacteria and fungi in a tertiary hospital.

    Microbial Air Quality Assessment of a Tertiary Hospital in Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria · 2026 · DOI

  • The study of air microflora is important in microbiology to understand the diversity and distribution of airborne microorganisms. There is a need to isolate and identify air microflora from different locations of a college campus.

    Isolation and Identification of Air Microflora From Different Locations of College Campus · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited floor space and simple ventilation systems in small-scale beauty facilities. Concurrent exposure to multiple airborne chemicals. Variability in pollutant concentrations across facilities.

    Environmental Characteristics and Mixed Exposure Risks in Small-Scale Beauty Facilities in Vietnam · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of research on workplace environmental conditions and VOC concentrations in small-scale beauty facilities in Vietnam. The study addresses this gap by characterizing workplace environmental conditions and quantifying concentrations of priority VOCs.

    Environmental Characteristics and Mixed Exposure Risks in Small-Scale Beauty Facilities in Vietnam · 2026 · DOI

  • Future studies should investigate the relationship between self-reported health effects and airborne endotoxin levels. Future studies should assess the effectiveness of strategies to reduce occupational bioaerosol exposure in WWTPs. Future studies should explore the use of HEK-Blue TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR7 expressed in reporter cell lines in other contexts.

    TLR/NF-κB activation in vitro as a tool in the assessment of occupational bioaerosol exposure and health risks in wastewater treatment plants · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to characterize occupational exposure to bacteria in WWTPs. There is a need to assess the suitability of HEK-Blue TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR7 expressed in reporter cell lines. There is a need to understand the health risks associated with WWTP work.

    TLR/NF-κB activation in vitro as a tool in the assessment of occupational bioaerosol exposure and health risks in wastewater treatment plants · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies can examine the relationship between mouthing behaviors and environmental exposures. Future research can apply the study's methodology to other age groups or populations. Additional studies can investigate the effectiveness of strategies for reducing children's exposure to harmful substances.

    Analysis of durations and frequencies of mouthing behaviors in children 6 months to 6 years: an advanced videotaping and translation approach · 2026 · DOI

  • Few studies have quantified mouthing behaviors in indoor residential settings. There is a lack of comprehensive quantitative data on indoor mouthing behaviors in children 6 months to 6 years.

    Analysis of durations and frequencies of mouthing behaviors in children 6 months to 6 years: an advanced videotaping and translation approach · 2026 · DOI

  • BACKGROUND: Barrier environments are essential for maintaining specific pathogen-free (SPF) animals, yet the potential health risks associated with routine aerosol disinfection remain unclear.

    A comparative assessment of subchronic inhalation health risks between peracetic acid and chlorine dioxide in SPF pigs maintained in barrier environments · 2026 · DOI

  • Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of LMO conditions on microbial survival. Studies on the effects of dust shielding and microbial aggregation on UV irradiation are needed. Research on the MSRP campaign's ability to attain the mandated levels of spacecraft surface bioburden reductions is necessary.

    Biocidal Conditions in Low-Mars-Orbit Can Inactivate Bioburden on External Mars Spacecraft Surfaces and Dust Particles Within a Few Sols · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in understanding the effects of LMO conditions on the survival of microorganisms. The presence of dust and microbial aggregation can affect the survival of microorganisms in LMO conditions. The study aims to fill this gap by characterizing the synergistic effects of LMO ultraviolet irradiation, vacuum, and solar heating on the survival of microorganisms.

    Biocidal Conditions in Low-Mars-Orbit Can Inactivate Bioburden on External Mars Spacecraft Surfaces and Dust Particles Within a Few Sols · 2026 · DOI

  • The health hazards of airborne fungal spores to cattle and barn workers. The need for improved air quality management techniques in livestock facilities. The challenge of mitigating the risks of respiratory allergies and asthma in barn workers.

    The Impact of Seasonal Climate Conditions on Fungal Biodiversity in Barn Air · 2026 · DOI

  • Further in-depth research is needed to mitigate health hazards and improve barn air quality. Studies should investigate the effects of environmental factors on the growth and distribution of microfungi in cattle barns. Research should also focus on the development of strategies to reduce the risk of respiratory allergies and asthma in barn workers.

    The Impact of Seasonal Climate Conditions on Fungal Biodiversity in Barn Air · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in current research on the evaluation of plant-based biofilter systems for indoor air purification. The study highlights the need for a comprehensive evaluation of plant performance in improving Indoor Air Quality.

    Integrating multivariate analysis and Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) to evaluate four ornamental plants for sustainable indoor air phytoremediation · 2026 · DOI

  • Integrate a variety of plant species to target a broad spectrum of VOCs. Position plants strategically maximize their exposure to polluted air. Also maintain plant health to ensure consistent VOCs absorption rates. Furthermore, further studies should be conducted to investigate the long-term effects and optimal conditions for the use of different plant species such as PBBs. Integrate high-performing ornamental plants such as Cordyline fruticosa and Syngonium podophyllum into indoor environments, especially in pharmaceutical laboratories where VOCs exposure is a concern. These species can be strategically arranged in green walls or plant-based biofilter systems to naturally reduce harmful pollutants. Future efforts should focus on long-term monitoring, incorporating multiple plant species, and optimizing growing conditions, including light and substrate composition, to maximize phytoremediation efficiency. Additionally, using physiological indicators like APTI, stomatal density, and wax content as screening tools can help identify other resilient plant candidates for sustainable indoor air quality improvement.

    Integrating multivariate analysis and Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) to evaluate four ornamental plants for sustainable indoor air phytoremediation · 2026 · DOI

  • Formaldehyde is a high-priority indoor pollutant with adverse effects on human health. The efficiency of phytoremediation systems in removing formaldehyde is unknown.

    Phytoremediation for indoor air quality (IAQ) improvement: removal efficiency of formaldehyde by epiphytic Tillandsia · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure

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103 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 529 Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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