BRUSSELS, Belgium, 2 December 2025: Eurovent said the 2027 Eurovent Summit will take place from October 6 to 8, 2027. Making the announcement through a Press Release, the association said the flagship event will once again gather leaders, innovators and experts from across the HVACR sector.

Eurovent said this programme is the largest gathering of the HVACR sector in Europe, bringing together industry representatives, policymakers, engineers, manufacturers and other key stakeholders to exchange insights on the future of sustainable technologies.

Eurovent said participants can look forward to a programme including sessions by industry experts, working group meetings, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, hosted in one of Europe’s most vibrant and innovative cities.

VELLINGE, Sweden, 1 December 2025: SAMON, a manufacturer of refrigerant gas detection technology, said it has appointed Ryan Vanos as Sales Manager for North America. Making the announcement through a Press Release, SAMON said Vanos brings a 360-degree perspective on the HVACR controls industry, having built his career across R&D, project installation and service before successfully transitioning into sales and business development.

Federico Pasquini, Sales and Marketing Director, SAMON, said: “We are beyond excited to add Ryan to our team. His unique combination of technical and market knowledge will be an invaluable asset for SAMON and its network of customers and distributors in Canada and the United States. I am convinced that with his help, our North American business will kick into the next gear.”

The company said Vanos expressed equal enthusiasm about joining SAMON during a time of rapid growth and global expansion. He said: “I am really looking forward to joining the SAMON team and the amazing growth journey the company is on. Further expanding our footprint in North America, supported by SAMON’s 35 years of experience in refrigerant gas detection, is going to be exciting. I’m really looking forward to connecting with current and new clients.”

SAMON said the appointment reflects its continued expansion in international markets by combining technical excellence with localised support, guided by its “Simply Reliable” philosophy. The company said that Vanos’ industry experience and customer-first approach are set to play a key role in its continued success in the Canadian and United States markets.

DUBAI, UAE, 28 November 2025: Ramboll said its work in the Middle East centres on designing high-rise and complex buildings that respond to climate realities while supporting long-term urban resilience. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Ramboll said that as cities pursue low-carbon growth pathways, towers carry significant responsibility due to their energy intensity, material use and lifecycle impacts. The company said its approach integrates passive-first strategies, high-performance façades and reduced-carbon materials from the earliest stages of design.

Ramboll said its Design Excellence 2024-2025 yearbook outlines how the company combines structural optimisation, microclimate analysis and integrated building systems to reduce environmental impact while enhancing occupant wellbeing. The company said this methodology is especially relevant in the Gulf where extreme temperatures and dense urban conditions place additional pressure on buildings’ climate performance.

Ramboll said its wider regional work reinforces this climate-aligned approach. The company added that the Dubai Waste Management Centre, where it serves as Owner’s Engineer, processes 1.9 million tonnes of waste annually, generates 200 MW of electricity and will prevent an estimated 65 million tonnes of CO₂ over its lifespan. “Our role is to ensure this project sets new benchmarks for sustainability and efficiency in the region,” said Jan Teir, Senior Chief Project Manager, Ramboll.

Ramboll said its commitment is mirrored in the company’s ESG strategy and that this strategy is reinforced by its Global ESG Lead, Alan Kao, who stated, “ESG is no longer optional; it’s the foundation for future-proof businesses.”

IN AN era defined by rapid urbanisation, technological advancements and increasing environmental pollution, the impact of ubiquitous nano-materials on human health has become a critical area of investigation. Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), while extensively used in medicine, cosmetics, food and industry, represent a significant component of this exposure landscape; they are also a key inorganic ingredient in airborne particulate matter and sandstorms (Figure 1). Emerging toxicological studies have established a concerning link between exposure to SiNPs and adverse effects on the reproductive system in males and females. Ultimately, it is imperative to synthesise research findings from recent animal model studies to explore the relevant mechanisms through which SiNPs compromise fertility, including the induction of oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and the activation of apoptotic pathways, which are further compounded by lifestyle factors such as a High-Fat Diet (HFD). Inhalation of respirable SiNPs, such as those encountered in sandstorms, can harm male and female fertility, suggesting a shared mechanism of systemic injury. The damage begins when the SiNPs bypass the lung’s protective barriers, enter the systemic circulation, and travel to distant reproductive organs – the testes and ovaries. Furthermore, SiNPs are a powerful inducer of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress, which overwhelms the body’s defenses. This imbalance causes severe damage to vital cellular macro- molecules, including lipids and DNA, and decreases the effectiveness of the body’s enzymatic antioxidant defense system.

Impact on male fertility^[1,2,3,5]

The male reproductive system is particularly vulnerable to attack from external agents, making it a key focus of SiNPs toxicity. SiNPs can invade and cross the crucial biological “gatekeepers” – the protective walls around the testicles (Blood-Testis Barrier) and the tubes next to them (Blood-Epididymis Barrier). Once these barriers are breached, the SiNPs builds up inside, where they can begin to cause severe damage.

Exposure to SiNPs, particularly at the nano-scale, is strongly implicated in male reproductive toxicity, leading to a significant deterioration in semen quality and quantity. This toxic effect results from direct cellular and structural damage within the reproductive system. Specifically, the particles induce high levels of oxidative stress and Apoptosis (programmed cell death) in the testis, causing physical damage, such as severe atrophy and structural defects in the sperm-producing seminiferous tubules; deterioration of the interstitial tissue, which includes testosterone-producing Leydig cells; and destruction of the sperm-maturing tubes (Epididymis). The functional consequence is a profound impairment of spermatogenesis: Sperm count and motility decrease sharply, while the rate of sperm with abnormal morphology increases substantially. For instance, animal models have demonstrated a reduction in sperm concentration and mobility of over 50%, coupled with an increase in defects approaching 170%. This severe toxicological effect suggests that prolonged or high-dose SiNPs exposure may contribute to conditions like Oligospermia (low sperm count) and, in extreme cases, Azoospermia (the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate). However, while the mechanism of damage is clear in laboratory settings, the precise prevalence and direct causal link between chronic occupational SiNPs exposure and Azoospermia in human populations remains an area that requires extensive clinical and epidemiological research.

Impact on female fertility^[1,2,4]

In the ovaries, cellular damage results in dysfunction and a reduction in the number of ovarian follicles, crucial for reproduction. This impairment disrupts folliculogenesis and alters the critical balance and production of sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These structural and functional deficits are consistent with observations in the male reproductive system. Ultimately, the toxicity of SiNPs hinges on the damage generated by induced oxidative stress and inflammation, resulting in parallel reproductive harm across both sexes.

The impact of SiNPs on mitochondrial dysfunction^[1,3]

This continuous oxidative damage to DNA and other cellular components ultimately triggers Apoptosis. Apoptotic cells are detected in the interstitial tissues, spermatogenic cells and epididymal epithelium, following SiNPs exposure. At the molecular level, this is linked to the activation of the proapoptotic signalling pathway, mediated by the tumor necrosis factor. Exposure leads to the upregulation of key proapoptotic factors, confirming that the administration of SiNPs actively promotes cell death in the reproductive organs. Concurrently, an inflammatory response is also induced, evidenced by the increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are reciprocally linked with oxidative stress, further exacerbating the toxicity.

A critical secondary mechanism is damage to the mitochondrial structure and subsequent dysfunction of energy metabolism. Mitochondria are essential for spermatogenesis and sperm motility, as their energy currency, defined as Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), fuels the structural integrity and movement of the sperm tail. Studies employing electron microscopy demonstrate that exposure to SiNPs causes profound damage to the ultrastructure of spermatogenic cells, including the rupture and disappearance of mitochondrial cristae. The physical destruction of mitochondria directly results in a sharp decrease in cellular ATP levels in testicular tissue. This energy deficit is hypothesised to be the main reason for the dramatic reduction in sperm motility and the increase in malformed sperm, as sperm tail movement requires an adequate energy supply.

Synergistic risk: Exacerbation by HFD

A modern lifestyle factor, the HFD, is shown to significantly exacerbate the reproductive toxicity induced by SiNPs exposure, demonstrating a synergistic adverse effect. While HFD alone can cause damage to sperm quality and testicular structure, its combination with SiNPs is far more detrimental.

In HFD-treated Wistar rats, the co-exposure to SiNPs further reduced sperm concentration, decreased motility rates and dramatically increased sperm abnormality rates compared to HFD alone. The combination severely interfered with the master genetic switches that are supposed to start the process of creating healthy sperm. By altering this genetic programming, the body cannot properly grow the precursor cells into mature, viable sperm.

Definitive call to action for policy and research^[6-9]

The corpus of animal toxicological data confirms that nanoscale SiNPs exposure, particularly when particles are small (70<nm) and are accessed systemically (via inhalation), represents a serious reproductive hazard. The pathology involves specific molecular disruption of the germline, mediated by oxidative stress, mitochondrial energy collapse, and complex epigenetic modifications such as Crem hypermethylation and impaired histone-to-protamine exchange. Furthermore, this toxicity is dramatically exacerbated by common lifestyle factors such as a HFD.

Required research priorities^[6-9]

To bridge the critical gap between established animal pathology and undefined human risk, a unified, comprehensive research effort is essential, focusing on the following imperatives:

• Human Epidemiological Correlation: Urgent, large- scale, long-term clinical and epidemiological studies are required to define the direct causal relationship between chronic occupational and environmental nanoscale silica exposure and specific adverse human reproductive outcomes, including semen quality deterioration, Oligospermia, Azoospermia and documented adverse pregnancy progressions.
• Exposure Variables Modelling: Detailed toxicokinetic research must be funded to determine the precise dose-response relationships for inhaled SiNPs. This research must correlate environmental and occupational concentrations – dusty workplaces or major sandstorms – with the actual internal reproductive organ dose required to trigger the specific molecular pathology (Crem hypermethylation, follicular atresia) observed in animal models.
• Longitudinal Human Studies with Biomonitoring: It is essential to prioritise funding for large-scale, prospective longitudinal human cohort studies in high-exposure occupations. These studies must include quantitative measurements of specific exposure levels, correlating them with validated biomarkers (potential urinary silica) and rigorously assessing reproductive outcomes to move from association to establishing definitive causation.

Turning over every single stone for answers

This challenge requires a unified, uncompromising response from the global community. The promise of future generations hinges on our willingness to act today. We must issue a definitive call upon governments, the private sector and research institutions worldwide to mobilise a comprehensive, coordinated research effort. The knowledge we currently possess is merely the starting line; we must pursue a complete and actionable understanding of every possible cause, and every pathway of exposure and harm. It is imperative that we turn over every single stone – examining environmental, occupational and dietary interactions – to fully mitigate this serious reproductive threat. We must seek and fund the necessary toxicological, epidemiological and intervention studies required to define global safety standards and develop effective protective strategies for all citizens, including the implementation of antioxidant-based therapies and safer, engineered particle designs.

References:

1. Sun, F., Wang, X., Zhang, P., Chen, Z., Guo, Z. and Shang, X., 2022. Reproductive toxicity investigation of silica nanoparticles in male pubertal mice. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(24), pp.36640-36654.

2. Xu, Y., Wang, N., Yu, Y., Li, Y., Li, Y.B., Yu, Y.B., Zhou, X.Q. and Sun, Z.W., 2014. Exposure to silica nanoparticles causes reversible damage of the spermatogenic process in mice. PloS one, 9(7), p.e101572.

3. Zhang, L., Wei, J., Duan, J., Guo, C., Zhang, J., Ren, L., Liu, J., Li, Y., Sun, Z. and Zhou, X., 2020. Silica nanoparticles exacerbate reproductive toxicity development in high- fat, diet-treated Wistar rats. Journal of hazardous materials, 384, p.121361.

4. Azouz, R.A., Korany, R.M. and Noshy, P.A., 2023. Silica nanoparticle-induced reproductive toxicity in male albino rats via testicular apoptosis and oxidative stress. Biological Trace Element Research, 201(4), pp.1816-1824.

5. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International. 2022 May; 29(24): 36640–36654.

6. Zheng, M., Chen, Z., Xie, J., Yang, Q., Mo, M., Liu, J. and Chen, L., 2024. The Genetic and Epigenetic Toxicity of Silica Nanoparticles: An Updated Review. International Journal of Nanomedicine, pp.13901-13923.

7. Pietroiusti, A., Vecchione, L., Malvindi, M.A., Aru, C., Massimiani, M., Camaioni, A., Magrini, A., Bernardini, R., Sabella, S., Pompa, P.P. and Campagnolo, L., 2018. Relevance to investigate different stages of pregnancy to highlight toxic effects of nanoparticles: the example of silica. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 342, pp.60-68.

8. Poulsen, M.S., Mose, T., Maroun, L.L., Mathiesen, L., Knudsen, L.E. and Rytting, E., 2015. Kinetics of silica nanoparticles in the human placenta. Nanotoxicology, 9(sup1), pp.79-86.

9. Pinto, S.R., Helal-Neto, E., Paumgartten, F., Felzenswalb, I., Araujo-Lima, C.F., Martínez-Máñez, R. and Santos-Oliveira, R., 2018. Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, transplacental transfer and tissue disposition in pregnant rats mediated by nanoparticles: the case of magnetic core mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology, 46(sup2), pp.527-538.

DUBAI, UAE, 28 November 2025: ALEC Holdings said it hosted ALEC Innovation Day 2025 as its first major event since its landmark IPO. Making the announcement through a Press Release, ALEC said the event was anchored in its vision of being the “Platform for Global Innovation Solutions”. The company added that the Innovation Day highlighted how ideas are tested on real projects, refined through fast feedback and scaled across the construction industry.

ALEC said that at the latest edition of its annual Innovation Day it demonstrated how the execution of its Innovation Roadmap has enabled the company to evolve into a platform for global innovation solutions. The company said it has positioned itself as a place where solutions shaping the future of construction are ideated, nurtured and scaled across the wider industry.

ALEC said the GCC region construction market is projected to reach US$2.7 trillion by 2033 and said the sector is under increasing pressure to build faster, safer and more sustainably. Imad Itani, Head of Innovation, ALEC, said: “The region is a fertile ground for innovation, but this cannot thrive in isolation. It needs an ecosystem which allows promising technologies to be applied to the most ambitious undertakings, investors to access vetted solutions, and innovators to secure fast-track funding. At ALEC, we have made a clear and concerted effort to become that ecosystem. Today we are the epicentre of construction innovation, identifying, implementing, and scaling technologies that can transform how the region builds.”

ALEC said its transformation is driven by a culture that encourages experimentation across the organization and added that it has cultivated champions across departments who test, refine and scale new ideas. The company said many of its business units now bring their own innovative products and services to market.

ALEC said its position as a platform for global innovation solutions was reinforced by the participation of 15 external partners at Innovation Day and that these partners have used the company as a launchpad by working with its specialists to mature solutions, apply them to real-world projects and develop viable commercial models. The company said examples included TENDERD, which it described as an AI-powered equipment management platform that secured a US$30 million Series A round, and SOLUT, whose workforce productivity analytics technology it said increased labour efficiency by around 30 percent across multiple pilot sites.

“The credibility afforded by ALEC’s validation has been transformative for us,” said Aleksander Belousov, Founder, SOLUT. “Since collaborating with ALEC, we have seen increased engagement from developers and contractors, as well as from customers in other industries,

who now have the confidence to adopt and support our solutions. It has significantly shortened our time to market and accelerated our ability to refine and scale our technology,” Belousov added.

ALEC said Innovation Day also highlighted its commitment to subcontractors, which it said play a growing role in shaping the future of the construction sector. “Subcontractors play a vital role in ALEC’s project delivery, which makes their involvement in our innovation journey essential,” Itani said. “This year marks the first time we have expanded our innovation initiatives to include select subcontractors, and we intend to broaden this across the entire supply chain in the future. By creating opportunities for shared learning and collaboration, we are building a collaboration framework that will enhance capabilities across the ecosystem and drive collective progress,” Itani added.

ALEC said it introduced a new set of Collaboration Awards during this edition of Innovation Day. The company said the awards recognise partners contributing to innovation across its ecosystem and that the awards cover four categories including Innovative Subcontractor of the Year, Technology Collaboration of the Year, Start-up Engagement of the Year and Client Collaboration of the Year.

Imad Itani

DUBAI, UAE, 27 November 2025: ABB announced the opening of a USD 2 million training and customer experience centre in Dubai to support the development of digital and engineering skills for industrial, power and utility applications across the Middle East. Making the announcement through a Press Release, ABB said the new facility will accelerate the adoption of digital solutions for energy systems in data centers, utilities and smart industrial, residential and commercial buildings. The company said the new center will help keep the UAE at the forefront of the energy transition in the region.

Citing International Energy Agency (IEA) data, ABB said the electricity demand in the UAE is expected to rise by up to four percent annually through 2035, driven by urbanisation, industrial growth and electrification of transport and cooling. To meet this demand, ABB said industries will require advanced technologies that strengthen energy resilience, optimise capital investment and accelerate sustainability. As industries scale up to meet this rising demand, strategic asset management powered by AI-enabled technology will be critical to ensure reliability, reduced costs and the achievement of net zero goals, the company added.

Marco Tellarini, Senior Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, ABB Electrification Service, said: “The electrification sector faces a dual challenge of an aging workforce and the urgent need for new digital skills. As experienced technicians retire, businesses must equip the next generation with expertise in data-driven asset management, remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. Our new UAE facility will help bridge the skills gap by combining practical training with exposure to cutting-edge digital and AI technologies. This will enable local engineers and operators to manage the power infrastructure and systems of the future.”

ABB said the new 2,500 square-meter Customer Experience Center is located in Al Quoz Industrial Area in Dubai, includes a state-of-the-art workshop, lecture theater and collaborative training spaces. ABB said the facility will support training and skills development of around 2,000 engineers and technicians a year from countries across the Middle East region. ABB added that it will focus on the latest medium- and low-voltage technologies, digital asset management, and AI and predictive maintenance solutions.

ABB said the centre will also enable energy resilience by sharing knowledge and developing skills to support upgrades and retrofits of older technologies in customer facilities. ABB said

upgrading to the latest digital asset management technologies can improve efficiency, reduce emissions and enhance reliability. The company said this will all help ABB’s customers, distributors and installation partners stay ahead of rapid technological change and ensure that local talent can operate and maintain increasingly digitalised electrical systems.

CLIMATE-focused regulations at the global, regional, national and even state levels are driving the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) industry to adopt refrigerants with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) and zero Ozone-Depleting Potential (ODP). Internationally, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol establishes a framework for the phased reduction of HFC refrigerants, based on their GWP. Different country groupings have been assigned distinct starting points and reduction schedules (refer to Figure 1). As a result, participating countries are required to decrease the GWP weighted consumption of their HFCs and HCFCs used as refrigerants or in other applications. In response to the Kigali Amendment, regional and national regulations are taking shape in many parts of the world. The GCC region, as part of A5 Group 2, is following the yellow line in Figure 1, below.

SUMMARY OF UPCOMING CHANGES IN THE GCC REGION:

• 2028: Quota freeze baseline
  o Average HFC consumption in
  2024, 2025 and 2026
• 2030: HCFC phase-out (R-22)
• 2032: 10% quota reduction

GLOBAL REFRIGERANT SHIFT

A recurring theme across global efforts is the need for the RAC industry to significantly reduce the GWPs of refrigerants in new system installations to comply with regulatory requirements. To support this shift, innovative refrigerants, such as hydrofluoro-olefins (HFOs), which offer much lower GWPs compared to HFCs, have been developed. Other low-GWP alternatives, such as hydrocarbons, ammonia and carbon dioxide, are also being considered, though they present challenges such as increased flammability, increased toxicity or greater system complexity. While the adoption of new systems is an important step towards low-GWP alternatives, these systems do not make up the entire RAC market. Many existing installations remain in operation and often continue to use high-GWP HFCs and HCFCs. For instance, R-22 remains in considerable demand, primarily for maintaining and servicing equipment that is already in use.

Refrigerant adoption specifics

The overall environmental impact of a refrigeration system is determined by more than just the GWP of the refrigerant. While GWP becomes especially significant when leaks occur, another critical factor is the system’s energy efficiency. To assess total emissions, both direct emissions (from refrigerant leaks, reflected by GWP) and indirect emissions (resulting from the system’s energy consumption) must be considered. The Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI) offers a more comprehensive overview of a system’s global emissions and underlines the importance of energy efficiency.

Why does the selection of refrigerant play such a crucial role in determining the overall emissions of the system?
Each refrigerant has unique properties, selecting the right refrigerant requires careful consideration of its thermodynamic characteristics to optimise energy efficiency and system performance. Understanding the specific attributes of each refrigerant is essential to recognise the opportunities and challenges involved in building and operating a safe and environmentally friendly refrigeration system. A system shouldn’t simply use a refrigerant; instead, it should be designed around the refrigerant’s thermodynamic properties.

Why does this matter in hot climates?
In regions with consistently high ambient conditions, like the GCC region, RAC systems are running under greater thermal stress. Careful consideration of both the refrigerant’s critical temperature* and the expected discharge temperature** is vital for ensuring system reliability, efficiency and longevity.

Critical temperature

Once the ambient temperature rises above the critical point, the refrigerant cannot be converted into a liquid by applying more pressure. At the critical temperature itself, the characteristics of liquid and vapour merge, creating a supercritical fluid with no clear distinction between the two phases.

Compressor discharge temperature

The discharge temperature in a refrigeration system refers to the temperature at the compressor outlet. This value increases as the ambient temperature rises, making it a crucial parameter to monitor, especially in hot climates.

• Elevated discharge temperatures can degrade compressor lubricants, resulting in poor lubrication, increased mechanical wear and a higher risk of compressor failure.
• Excessive heat can also shorten the operational life of internal components like seals and valves.
• In extreme cases, sustained high discharge temperatures may activate protective safety controls or cause the compressor to shut down to prevent damage.

As A2L refrigerants gain ground, they allow the RAC industry to meet climate targets without sacrificing reliability, performance or safety. Their properties make them a preferred choice for new equipment, with ongoing research ensuring risks are carefully managed. This is further supported by the performance comparison table, below, which highlights how A2L solutions deliver comparable efficiency and capacity relative to legacy A1 refrigerants. The data demonstrates that A2Ls maintain robust cooling and energy performance, while offering significantly lower GWP.

SAFETY CLASSIFICATIONS AND REGULATORY CHANGES

Refrigerants are classified by toxicity (Class A: lower; Class B: higher) and flammability (Classes 1, 2L, 2, 3). A2L refrigerants are “mildly flammable”, meaning they are harder to ignite and have lower burning velocities compared to highly flammable refrigerants. This improves safety and allows for broader use. While certain regions have revised their safety codes and standards to accommodate these differences, other regions have yet to make these necessary updates. For example, charge limits for A2L refrigerants are generally set higher than those for more flammable categories, enabling the use of larger system designs. Additionally, many components, considered ignition sources for highly flammable refrigerants (A3s),
are not classified as such for A2Ls.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS AND INDUSTRY ADOPTION

The shift to mildly flammable refrigerants requires continued research, updated standards and education throughout the RAC sector. Recent studies have shown that many common ignition sources in homes and commercial buildings do not ignite A2L refrigerants, which have helped shape modern safety standards. This enables safer use, greater flexibility in design, and wider adoption by manufacturers and service providers. AHRI, along with its members and test labs, has conducted extensive research, using its research arm, AHRTI, on the safety and efficiency of refrigerants, which can be found on the Institute’s Web site, Public Sector Research | AHRI. It has also established the Safe Refrigerant Transition free access forum, which provides information about the transition to low-GWP refrigerants. To further support decision-making, the table, below, compares current and future refrigerant options for air conditioning systems, with a focus on their GWP, efficiency opportunities and associated challenges. The tables, on the next page, provide a clear overview of key factors, such as GWP values, efficiency benefits and important safety or regulatory considerations for each option.

CONCLUSION

A2L refrigerants are a vital part of the industry’s move towards environmental sustainability. They offer low GWP, enhanced performance and range of application, improved safety characteristics and compatibility with existing technology. Meeting future climate and regulatory goals depends on successful adoption, supported by continued research, robust standards and comprehensive industry training. Outlook: The future of data centre cooling

In response to the Kigali Amendment’s call for low GWP solutions, coupled with the rapid advancement of AI- and HPCrelated IT hardware, advanced two-phase immersion cooling and direct-to-chip solutions have been developed for data centre applications. These new formulations combine ultra-low GWP and zero ozone depletion with optimised thermophysical and dielectric properties, enabling efficient and safe heat removal from high-density electronic hardware. By supporting a balanced Total Cost of Ownership approach, coupled with long-term sustainability and high cooling performance, these solutions help facilities manage increasing thermal loads while reducing their environmental footprint and operating costs, while ensuring ample heat transfer capacity for the enablement of next-generation
computing.

David Fichant is Technical Service Senior Consultant, Dominic Dueing is Technical Service Senior Consultant and Jean-Marc Christmann is Technical Service Manager at Chemours EMEA. The may be reached at <david.fichant@chemours.com> , <david.fichant@chemours.com> and <jeanmarc.christmann@ chemours.com>, respectively.

IN A WORLD where smog and tailpipes are already blamed for asthma and heart disease, scientists are now spotlighting another troubling possibility: Polluted air may be chipping away at women’s ability to have children.

A team of researchers in Poland studied 511 women who were visiting fertility clinics and compared their reproductive health with the levels of air pollution where they lived. They focused on small particles (PM2.5), which are mainly produced by cars, power plants and industrial emissions, as well as sulphur dioxide, which is often associated with burning fossil fuels.

Their findings – published as a scientific paper, in Nature.com, dated January 3, 2024 – suggest that breathing dirtier air may reduce the number of eggs a woman has left, a crucial measure known as her “ovarian reserve”.

To measure ovarian reserve, doctors typically look at two markers: AFC (antral follicle count), which pertains to how many egg-containing follicles can be seen on ultrasound, and AMH (Anti-Müllerian hormone), a hormone that reflects how many eggs remain.

Women exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 and sulphur dioxide tended to have lower AMH levels and fewer follicles visible on ultrasound. In short, polluted air may leave fewer eggs in the basket.

The effects were especially strong for women over the age of 35 and for women already diagnosed with infertility caused by female reproductive issues. Interestingly, other pollutants like ozone and carbon monoxide didn’t show clear effects on fertility in this study.

The researchers emphasise that the damage might come from oxidative stress, a kind of “rusting” that happens inside the body when harmful particles spark inflammation and cellular injury. Ovaries, it seems, don’t take kindly to being bathed in polluted air.

While this study doesn’t prove polluted air directly causes infertility, it adds to a growing pile of evidence connecting environmental health and reproductive health. And given that many cities regularly exceed recommended air-quality limits, doctors say the stakes are too high to ignore.

The study’s authors call for stronger environmental policies, more pollution monitoring and further research. They believe clean air isn’t just a breath of fresh air; it may also be a lifeline for future families.

Is the air we breathe a silent threat to fertility?

When we think of air pollution, our minds often jump to car exhaust, factory emissions and urban smog. While outdoor air quality is a significant public health issue, the reality is that we spend the vast majority of our time indoors. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor spaces can have pollutant concentrations three to five times higher than outdoors. This is because pollutants from various sources accumulate within a confined space, with little to no air exchange to dilute them.

Why is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) unregulated despite us spending 90% of our time inside?

The time spent indoors is often reported to be even higher, with many industrialised populations spending upwards of 90% of their lives within buildings, moving among homes, offices, schools and transport. This fact fundamentally transforms air quality from a solely outdoor public issue into an urgent indoor structural problem.

The critical issue is the lack of a globally harmonised regulatory framework. In the global landscape, Indoor Air Quality often remains unregulated, inconsistent or is merely addressed by voluntary guidelines. This stark absence of mandatory, universal standards means millions are continuously exposed to harmful concentrations of pollutants in the very places they seek safety and shelter. The need to address this gap is the central focus of new initiatives like the Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS). As detailed in their November 2025 White Paper, the GO AQS was established to create a foundational framework for harmonising IAQ limits for key contaminants. The existence of such a collaborative standard highlights that the time for voluntary, patchwork measures is over; mandatory, international standards are essential to protect public health from this unseen, continuous exposure within buildings.

What are the hidden sources of indoor pollutants?

Our homes and workplaces are filled with potential sources of air pollution. Environmental agencies around the world highlight that occupants themselves introduce chemicals from products like cleaning supplies, personal care products and furniture. Common household activities also contribute to the problem. For example, cooking can release fine particulate matter and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a broad class of chemicals released by common building materials, paints, glues and synthetic furnishings, which off-gas into the enclosed indoor atmosphere, sometimes for years after installation. Even seemingly harmless activities, like burning scented candles, can be a source of pollutants. Some studies have found that the combustion of candles releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, into the air.

What do the new scientific cases say about air pollution and fertility?

The impact of air pollution extends beyond respiratory and cardiovascular health; a growing body of scientific research suggests a strong link between air pollution and adverse fertility outcomes for men and women, often impacting the most vulnerable stages of reproduction.

How does air pollution impact female fertility and the success of IVF procedures?

For women, exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been consistently linked to a decreased ovarian reserve, which is a key indicator of a woman’s egg supply. A 2019 paper published in Epidemiology found that women living in highly polluted areas experienced a negative effect on their fertility. The research suggests that air pollutants can disrupt hormonal balance, affecting the regularity of menstrual cycles and the quality of eggs.

The connection is being further defined by studies focusing on Assisted Reproductive Technology success. Recent landmark research examining women undergoing in vitro fertilisation has revealed that elevated PM2.5 and organic carbon exposure in the weeks and months leading up to oocyte or egg retrieval was associated with a significantly decreased chance of a live birth – a reduction of up to 38% in the highest exposure quartile, compared to the lowest. This finding suggests the damage occurs not just during pregnancy, but much earlier, impairing the quality of the developing eggs themselves. Furthermore, excessive exposure after clinical or biochemical pregnancy has been linked to increased risks of miscarriage and pre-term birth, underscoring the continuous, stage- specific threat throughout the entire reproductive process.

Does air pollution affect male fertility and sperm DNA?

Air pollution also poses a significant threat to male reproductive health. Studies have shown that exposure to pollutants can lead to lower sperm quality, including reduced sperm count and motility. A 2024 study in MDPI journals demonstrated that men living in polluted areas had significantly diminished sperm motility. Newer research pinpoints specific components and mechanisms. Exposure to traffic-related pollutants, like Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) and Ozone (O₃) has been tied to reduced total sperm count and motility, often impacting the viability of sperm during the entire 90-day period of development (spermatogenesis).

What role does oxidative stress play in sperm damage?

The primary mechanism linking these pollutants to diminished sperm quality is oxidative stress. Air pollutants – upon entry into the body through inhalation, percutaneous contact or ingestion – generate excessive Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are highly reactive molecules that attack cellular components. In sperm, this oxidative damage leads to DNA fragmentation and epigenetic changes. Damaged sperm DNA can increase the risk of infertility, prenatal mortality and birth defects.

Can paternal exposure to air pollution affect the next generation?

Perhaps the most alarming finding is the transgenerational risk associated with paternal exposure. Research suggests that the father’s pre-conception environmental exposures can impact the child’s subsequent health outcomes. A recent study indicated that paternal exposure to common pollutants like diesel exhaust and benzene in the year before conception was associated with increased risks of neurodevelopmental issues in children, including autism and ADHD. This demonstrates that the impact of air pollution extends the threat far beyond simple conception difficulties, influencing the genetic and epigenetic integrity passed down to the next generation.

What is the crucial takeaway regarding air quality and reproductive health?

The air we breathe indoors, where we spend most of our time, is not a neutral backdrop, but a silent yet potent threat to our overall wellbeing and reproductive health. The scientific community has moved past mere correlation, establishing clear mechanisms – primarily oxidative stress and DNA damage – that link common indoor and outdoor air pollutants directly to compromised egg and sperm quality, reduced ovarian reserve and lower success rates for assisted reproduction. The critical, unregulated nature of Indoor Air Quality, as highlighted by the necessary movement toward initiatives like GO AQS, means this invisible threat is pervasive and persistent. Understanding the sources of indoor air pollution and recognising its profound, scientifically verified impact on fertility is no longer just a recommendation; it is a crucial first step in creating healthier and life-sustaining environments for current and future generations.

Sotirios Papathanasiou is an air quality expert specialising in sensing, quantification and the translation of complex technical concepts for the public through “See The Air”. His expertise spans air quality monitoring technologies, market analysis and leading roles in initiatives like, Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS).

BY VIRTUE of being based in the UAE and responsible for Commercial Refrigeration across the Middle East, I tend to look at the refrigerant transition through a regional lens. And what I see are extreme ambient conditions, fast retail expansion, long District Cooling lifecycles and supply chains that cross borders. “Futureproof” in the region is not a slogan – it’s a set of choices that keep systems safe, efficient and serviceable while staying ahead of availability and policy signals.

WHAT’S CHANGING IN OUR REGION

With hotter summers, urban densification and a larger cold chain, the demand for cooling is rising. At the same time, the countries in the GCC region are lining up behind the Kigali pathway, which will put cost and availability pressure on legacy HFCs over the next decade. That’s not a theoretical risk; it’s a planning factor. The smart move is to shift demand towards lower-GWP options now, without trading away safety or uptime. Decisions made in the next 12-24 months should age well through the period starting from 2032 to 2037. In my view, the operating philosophy as a manufacturer is ‘innovate with safety and compliance’. I do believe there is no single perfect refrigerant. The winning approach is fit-for-purpose engineering anchored on three nonnegotiables:

Innovation: Choose architectures and controls proven at high-ambient conditions, with compressors, valves and electronics that hold efficiency in
peak summer.

Safety: Design the risk down – and this includes charge management, leak detection, ventilation and trained service personnel, all treated as one system.

Compliance: Use codes and standards as design inputs, not after-the-fact paperwork. If you build for the rulebook that is coming – not just the one you have – you protect the asset. When these three move together, owners get reliable Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI) performance and fewer surprises, when policy or supply shifts.

PRACTICAL LANES BY APPLICATION

Comfort ACs and heat pumps (residential to light commercial)

Low-GWP A2L refrigerants are the pragmatic bridge away from high-GWP HFCs. Component ecosystems are mature, charge provisions are clear and installer training is scaling. For our climate, it is important to prioritise platforms validated at high ambient, with the key measures being a focus on robust expansion control, oil return at high condensing temperatures, and condenser surface sized for peak. Where layout or code constraints limit flammables, it is important to specify the most efficient available platform and plan for a medium-term transition.

Food retail and the wider cold chain

CO2 (R-744) is established globally and expanding when it comes to supermarket racks and distribution centres, especially when heat recovery or high discharge temperatures can be put to work. In hot climates, design competence is the difference – ejectors, parallel compression and gas-cooler optimisation turn “works on paper” into year-round performance. Hydrocarbons – notably R-290 – fit self-contained cabinets and monoblock units, where charges stay small and factory-sealed. A2L systems make sense for retrofits and sites where keeping refrigerant separated from occupied spaces is harder.

Industrial refrigeration

Ammonia (R-717) remains a highefficiency workhorse for large plants. Low-charge packages and NH2/CO2 cascades reduce toxicity exposure while preserving performance. For medium capacities or space constrained sites, it would be prudent to consider CO2 transcritical systems, with the right control toolkit, or A2L, where appropriate.

District Cooling and central plants

For retrofits, a step down to lower-GWP platforms during major service events would be the right thing to do, provided chiller performance and reliability are maintained.

SAFETY AT ALL TIMES

For new builds, it is important to specify platforms with demonstrably low GWP and high-ambient efficiency, and to confirm long-term availability of refrigerant and critical components. Safety is engineered in, not bolted on. Using flammable or toxic refrigerants safely is routine when the safety case is designed into the plant:

Charge management: For this, it is important to keep the smallest effective charge, and to consider secondary loops, distributed systems or cascades to keep the refrigerant out of occupied zones.

Leak prevention and detection: The areas of focus ought to be high-quality piping and joints; sensible routing; continuous or zoned detection; forced ventilation, where required; and automatic shutdown logic tied to thresholds.

Ignition risk controls: Separation; purging; sealed electrics, where needed; and documented hazardous-area assessments are the measures to be considered.

Service readiness: This would include keeping tools and spare kits within arm’s length, and ensuring that technicians are upskilled. If the field cannot safely maintain the system, the design is not finished.

The above points ought to be built into specifications, method statements and commissioning protocols; they ought not to be left to site improvisation.

COMPLIANCE AS A DESIGN INPUT

Our markets reference international standards (ASHRAE/ISO/EN/IEC families) to varying degrees. Bringing them forward into first drawings and tender documents is a vital aspect. Indeed, charge calculations, leakage zoning, ventilation sizing, pressureequipment compliance and service competencies are essential measures. It is equally essential to align early with authorities and end-user EHS requirements. Doing so helps avoid rework, accelerates approvals, and creates a common language among consultants, contractors and
inspectors.

AVAILABILITY AND SUPPLY CHAIN

In a transitioning market, availability is strategy. It is important to consider aligning refrigerant choices with component ecosystems that can be sourced at scale, be they compressors, valves, controllers, leak detection devices, safety devices, oils or recovery equipment.

It is important to secure multi-year supply, where possible. For cross-border projects, it is essential to confirm logistics, certification and service coverage in each country, as opposed to assuming that parts or refrigerants would move freely, just because they do today.

LEAK PREVENTION AND RECLAIM: THE MOST UNDERRATED LEVER

Direct emissions, cost volatility and future policy uncertainty are all moderated by one discipline – tight systems and closed-loop refrigerant
management.

It is important to specify recovery and reclaim paths in contracts. Without exception, it is important to classify the act of tracking leakage as a KPI, and to establish acceptance levels with maintenance partners.

It is equally important to design for diagnostic visibility, be they pressure/ temperature taps, flow and sub-cool/ super-heat monitoring, or alarm history, which helps technicians fix root causes on the first visit.

These points constitute good climate practices and make good business sense in markets where downtime is expensive and reputation travels fast.

A SIMPLE DECISION CHECKLIST FOR MIDDLE EAST PROJECTS

I would recommend that you start with the triangle of lifecycle cost, safety case and environmental performance – all on one page.

Do consider picking lanes by application: A2L for much of AC/HP; CO2 for food retail, and DCs, where competence exists; hydrocarbons for self-contained units; and ammonia – often with CO2 – for industrial. It is important to engineer safety in charge limits, leak detection, ventilation, shutdown logic and ignition-risk controls. These belong in the bill of materials, not the valueengineering list. It is essential to design for service – in terms of access, isolation valves, oil management and clear diagnostics. A system that’s easy to maintain leaks less and runs better in peak summer. Do plan for availability. And this includes validating component and refrigerant supply, training and after-sales coverage in each country you serve. And don’t forget to close the loop, in terms of recovery kits on site, reclaim partners on contract and leakage KPIs in the maintenance agreement.

WHERE THIS LEAVES US

For our region, “future-proof” does not mean betting on one molecule. It means aligning innovation with safety and compliance, so that plants keep delivering efficiency and uptime as the market evolves. If we choose refrigerants by application, engineer the safety case into the design, and lock in service and supply from day one, we won’t just comply, we will build systems that technicians trust, that owners rely on, that customers never have to think about.

The writer is Head of Commercial Refrigeration, Danfoss Middle East & North Africa. He may be reached at <N.Sivakumar@danfoss.com>