Expert Interview: Indoor Air Quality for a Healthier Future

A: Hello! My name is Keonwang Lee, and I am a senior researcher responsible for organizational operations at LG Electronics’ Air Science Laboratory. My academic background is in aerosol and filtration technology, with a focus on the behavior of airborne particulate matter and how to control it. Currently, I also serve as a member of an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) committee working on the development of new testing standards for air purifiers.

A: At LG’s Air Science Laboratory Institute, top experts in air quality collaborate across six specialized divisions: filtration, ventilation, hazardous gases, hygiene, comfort, and clinical research. The institute’s work extends beyond IAQ to encompass the broader concept of indoor environmental quality (IEQ), conducting everything from foundational studies to solution development. Research efforts are especially focused on addressing various pollutants—such as ultrafine dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold, and viruses—while also exploring areas like airflow comfort and nighttime air management.

The institute also works together with hospitals to study how air purifiers can help with health, and has seen good results.

A: The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed public awareness of IAQ. During the pandemic, research focused heavily on airborne virus removal and infection prevention, leading to rapid advancements in sterilization and purification technologies. However, in the post-COVID era, IAQ research has broadened beyond simply maintaining clean air. It now increasingly considers larger environmental factors such as climate change, air pollution, and sustainability (ESG), reflecting a more holistic approach to air quality management.

These shifts have also begun to influence regulations and design standards, with two major trends drawing particular attention.

1. Strengthened Ventilation Performance Standards
Rules for building safety are being updated to mandate the installation of mechanical ventilation systems (both supply and exhaust). Organizations like ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) have also raised the minimum ventilation rate requirements in response to infectious disease concerns.

A: Efforts to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) have evolved beyond simply purifying the air—they now focus on balancing air quality with building energy efficiency. This shift became especially important after the pandemic, which highlighted the need for increased ventilation and air purification, potentially leading to higher energy consumption. As a result, recent research and technological development have aimed to achieve both improved IAQ and energy savings simultaneously.
To support these goals, the following areas of research and development have been actively pursued.

1. Smart ventilation control systems
– Analyzes indoor air quality data in real time—such as CO2 concentration, PM2.5, and VOCs—and activates the ventilation system only when necessary to prevent energy loss from excessive ventilation.
– When outdoor air is polluted, ventilation is temporarily paused or filtered before being introduced indoors, reducing energy loss while meeting IAQ standards.

2. Heat Recovery Ventilation and Energy Recovery Ventilation
– A technology that recovers the heat (or humidity) from indoor exhaust air to minimize energy loss when bringing in outdoor air—reducing cooling energy loss in summer and preventing heating energy loss in winter.

3. Low-power, high-precision IAQ sensor technology
– As IAQ sensor technology rapidly advances, it addresses previous issues such as high-power consumption and short lifespan found in conventional air sensors. Low-power semiconductor sensors have emerged as a key solution, enabling long-term, precise air quality monitoring while significantly improving energy efficiency.

4. AI-Based Energy and IAQ Optimization Control
– LG is developing air purifiers that use AI-powered sensors to check the air quality and automatically adjust how strongly the device runs. These smart features help keep the air clean without needing manual control.

5. Integrated Air Purification and Ventilation System
– A growing trend is the integration of previously separate systems—air purification (mainly for indoor air circulation and cleaning) and ventilation (mainly for outdoor air intake and exhaust)—into a single platform. This allows both systems to operate simultaneously or in coordination, reducing energy waste while effectively managing indoor air quality.

A: LG’s Air Science Laboratory Institute will continue to pursue a scientific approach aimed not just at purifying the air, but at creating a “human-centered healthy indoor environment.” These efforts are expected to lead to the development of technologies that deliver real health benefits and value to customers.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of IAQ has expanded beyond basic purification to encompass broader environmental technologies that integrate climate, health, energy, and safety. In response to these evolving trends, LG’s Air Science Laboratory Institute is committed to ongoing research that generates innovative solutions for the future of the hvac industry.