Dr Iyad Al-Attar

DUBAI, UAE, 19 July 2020: Amidst growing concerns over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eurovent Middle East welcomed its first Associated Consultant, the association said through a Press release. Dr Iyad Al-Attar is amongst the world’s leading experts on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and air filtration, topics which receive heightened attention with countries fighting to reduce transmissions of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the association added.

Eurovent Middle East said it has opened up membership to the consultant community in a move to bring the industry in the region closer together and support technical exchange on a range of pressing issues. With his background in mechanical engineering, Dr Al-Attar is an air filtration consultant as well as an environmental enthusiast. He is currently a Visiting Academic Fellow in the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom, the association said.

Dr Al-Attar said: “SARS-CoV-2 has paid us a surprise visit and found us pledging allegiance to sketchy filter specifications that tolerate regenerating disposal filters, inappropriately selecting filters, entertaining conventional filter design and prompting single-stage filtration solutions for most applications. Prior to suggesting any sort of refinements, we ought to re-examine the math of the international filtration standards for the Middle East and particularly in the Arabian Peninsula to close the gap between rhetoric and reality when it comes to implementing their recommendations.

“Combating COVID-19 is an existential challenge we face today. The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of appropriate building ventilation and air filtration selection, an issue that has been notoriously overlooked for decades – and I am afraid we are now paying a hefty price for this negligence. It is of paramount importance for the community to realise that there are no low-cost, short-term and over-the-counter solutions as far as designed ventilation and filtration systems are concerned. The first corrective action toward enhancing air quality is making appropriate filter based on the physical and chemical characterisation of the airborne contaminants in the air we breathe. Unfortunately, the spread of information that lacks precision and is possibly driven by commercial interests are overshadowing the key message which needs to be understood: Enhanced IAQ saves lives!”

Markus Lattner

Markus Lattner, Managing Director, Eurovent Middle East, said: “Since our inception, we stated improved IAQ as one of our key objectives. Unfortunately, we now see how urgent this matter has become. We are positive that with the support and the expertise of Dr Al-Attar, we will be able to gain more attention on the design, installation and operation of ventilation and air filtration systems. We are excited to welcome him on board with us, as we know a joint effort is required by everyone to overcome the current crisis and prepare to stave off future threats to our societies.”

Dr Al-Attar added: “We need to be part of the solutions, not the symptoms. For the best interest of the health of the public, it is essential to work together to establish a non-commercial approach and neutral grounds to educate the international audience on how to enhance our air quality and, consequently, our well-being. Eurovent Middle East provides the platform where we can exchange and create awareness on such important topics. I am looking forward to exchanging knowledge and experiences and to calling on the industry and governments to join us in these discussions for the benefit of our societies and humankind. SARS-CoV-2 is a global game changer, and we need to challenge the existing standards, maintenance practices and, most importantly, ourselves.”