As we approach the end of 2020, the number of events and changes to our environment has been astronomical. From global pandemics to natural disasters, it has highlighted how important it is for us to have healthy indoor air quality. 
We are taking a look at the top 5 struggles of indoor air quality from 2020: 

COVID-19 Pandemic

1. Even since March 2020, COVID-19 has turn our worlds upside down and nothing has been the same since. Masks became a legal requirement for many states, workers were pushed out of their office to work remotely, and the pandemic continues on.
   
2. As we have been forced to navigate these uncertain times, indoor air quality has become a huge topic of concern. You are 18.7 times more likely to contract COVID-19 indoors versus an open-air environment and the chances are only higher with poor air quality.
   
3. How can we know what is safe indoors?

West Coast Wildfires

1. In 2020, it is estimated that over 2 million acres of land has been burned down due to wildfires. California is no stranger to devastating wildfires, but having this disaster on top of a pandemic has put safe breathing air further into jeopardy.
   
2. When unhealthy outdoor air gets trapped inside, this can increase likelihood of respiratory illnesses and other health concerns for us. 

Smog and Smoke Travel Far

1. Cities don’t have to be in the direct line of fire to have their air quality effected. The smoke and smog traveled quickly beyond California, and even beyond the west coast. Portland’s air quality reached the ranking of “hazardous” . 
   
2. Within days, states as far as Massachusetts had noticeable smoke/fog in their air as a result of the west coast fires.
   
3. Outdoor air can circulate and dilute much faster than indoor air, but what can we do when outdoor air is not healthy for us?