Presentation Title: The Air We Breathe Indoors: How Housing, Ventilation, and Interventions Shape Comfort and Health

Presentation Summary

This presentation explores the connections between indoor air quality, housing conditions, air pollution exposure, and what makes a home truly comfortable. Drawing on field measurements of indoor air pollutants and ventilation rates in Colorado homes, combined with interviews across a range of stakeholders — residents, property managers, public health professionals, and housing advocates — the talk weaves together the technical and human dimensions of indoor environments. Topics include how building characteristics and occupant behaviors influence pollutant exposures, the effectiveness of low-cost interventions, and a broader discussion of what "comfort" means in the context of housing, health equity, and environmental justice.

Presenter Bio

Ellison Carter, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on indoor air quality, housing and health, air pollution exposure assessment, and the design and evaluation of environmental interventions. Her work integrates engineering measurements with community-engaged approaches to improve indoor environmental quality, particularly in underserved housing.