A new medical study published in the British journal Lancet revealed a very compelling connection between indoor air quality (IAQ) and human health. The study confirmed that biological aging can be faster or slower than chronological aging, meaning one 60 year old can have significantly younger organs and tissues when compared to another 60 year old. Especially pertinent to mechanical engineers was the finding that the alleged cause, and potential prevention, of advanced biological aging is directly tied to IAQ.
The biologic age of organs, such as livers and kidneys, as well as immune system protection, were assessed using a robust data set from clinical tests, immune system markers, measurements of metabolism, digestive system microbiome diversity, physical fitness, and facial skin assessments. An increased biologic age of organs and tissues, which heralds chronic diseases, was found to be correlated with hypohydration, or very mild dehydration of 1%-2% of total body weight. In healthy people, hypohydration is reflected in increased serum sodium concentration, which allows blood sodium levels to be used as a physiological marker of blood concentration.