[Commentary] India’s steps towards carbon dioxide monitoring in public assembly spaces for ventilation measurement for airborne infection control and other factors

Abstract

This commentary describes the work done by the Indian National Green Tribunal by instructing the Central Pollution Control Board to formulate guidelines and issue directions for important matters related to Indoor Air Quality and Airborne Infection Control. What started as a Public Interest Litigation in the Hon'ble Delhi High Court led to an application in the National Green Tribunal for three matters. The first being Carbon Dioxide monitoring of enclosed air conditioned spaces of public assembly nature as Carbon Dioxide is a surrogate for Ventilation in a space. The second being including inclusions in Split Air Conditioners as they simply recirculate the indoor air without any fresh air intake which increases probability of airborne infection spread apart from other issues. The last being having appropriate window design in building byelaws to promote openability of windows with wire mesh so that fresh air intake is possible for airborne infection control.