When people became aware that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was primarily through the air, reducing airborne exposure in buildings immediately became a high priority. As a result, high ventilation rates to reduce infectious airborne contaminants were implemented.
Almost simultaneous with recommendations for increased ventilation, extreme weather events tied to atmospheric warming from greenhouse gases catalyzed mandates to decrease carbon-based emissions from buildings. Building owners became caught in the difficult conundrum of managing IAQ to support occupant health while simultaneously conserving energy — all within a profitable business model.