Many health issues linked with ‘poor air quality’

Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is directly associated with numerous health issues including respiratory problems – asthma, bronchitis, allergies – eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, fatigue, reduced concentration while long term risks such as cardiovascular disease and reduced lung function.

This was stated by Ali Roghani, COO of Active Pure GCC while talking to Gulf Today and added that they are operating under the umbrella of Green Dome General Trading which is leading a decisive shift — from legacy, reactive filtration to continuous, space-active protection enabled by NASA-derived ActivePure Technology.

This technology is based on a NASA developed light activated oxidation process, later adapted for commercial indoor air and surface purification.

ActivePure inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame in 2017, which is a programme run by the Space Foundation (a non-profit space advocacy organisation based in Colorado, established in 1983).

This Hall of Fame recognition honors technologies that were originally developed for space exploration and later adapted for commercial use that improves quality of life on Earth.

Ali Roghani is also served as health security, sustainability champion and added that the “children, elderly people, and individuals with asthma or chronic conditions are particularly vulnerable. In the UAE, desert dust, indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and limited fresh air ventilation can intensify these effects.”

He pointed that the traditional HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and passive filters only work when air passes through them.

That model leaves gaps—between air exchanges, on surfaces, and in high-density, high-risk environments. To improve the overall lifestyle around house, he said, “there are multiple ways to achieve the results as most effective IAQ strategy is a layered approach: source control: reduce indoor pollutants (low VOC materials, proper kitchen exhaust, no indoor smoking).

Ventilation: Supply adequate fresh air according to Ashrae and local codes. Filtration: Use high efficiency HVAC filters (MERV 13 or higher where applicable) and HEPA air purifiers.

Air cleaning technologies: Supplementary technologies that reduce airborne pathogens, VOCs, and odors. Monitoring & maintenance: Regular HVAC servicing and IAQ monitoring (PM2.5, CO₂, VOCs).

Highlighting the role of government and private sector, he said “align national standards with WHO and Ashrae guidelines, which includes promote IAQ awareness in homes, schools, and workplaces.