03.05.2023

Tackling pandemics event brings latest results from virus diagnostics to creating health safe spaces

The annual event of the multidisciplinary E3 project - Excellence in pandemic response and enterprise solutions - will discuss themes such as how do viruses spread, how to study the airborne routes of pathogens and how to create health safe premises? Come to meet our experts and hear the latest research results at this live event. Register now to secure your seat!

Where: Finnish Meteorological Institute, Erik Palmenin aukio 1, 00560 Helsinki, Finland
When: Tuesday 16.5.2023 at 9.00 – 17.30 (UTC+3)

See the full programme and insights from our keynote speakers & register here.

This on-site- event brings together top-notch experts of several fields ranging from medicine, diagnostics and aerosol physics to air quality and smart buildings to present main results of the E3 joint project with 22 companies and 7 research institutes. We invite you to join the discussion during presentations and exhibition session featuring experts from Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), Helsinki University, Tampere University (TAU), Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), VTT and companies such as Afry, Air0, Alme Solutions, Cleamix, Granlund, Halton, Inspector Sec, Lifa Air, Olfactomics, Tamlink and Spinverse.

The first keynote session will discuss about how the pandemic has changed the medical perception of safe indoor air by Enni Sanmark, bring understanding on airborne transmission of viruses by Tarja Sironen and insights on how to create health safety spaces with cleaner air by Piia Sormunen.  See below their brief comments on the topics.

"We need a change of thinking when talking about indoor air: from mold houses, asthma and allergy to the prevention of infectious diseases such as covid-19 and influenza. New science and research make it possible to reduce the spread of both old and new infectious diseases indoors”, says Enni Sanmark, Medical Doctor, PhD from HUS.

“The spread of viruses through the air is a well-known phenomenon, but the latest research methods and an interdisciplinary approach from the laboratory to the practical situation have revolutionized virological research. Understanding the factors affecting airborne transmission on a completely new level also enables the development of effective control measures," says Tarja Sironen, Associate Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases at Helsinki University.

”We are facing a paradigm shift in the construction and real estate sector. The research results show that we will create health safety spaces with cleaner air. The indoor air quality has great importance in the fight against airborne infections. It's amazing how little the construction and real estate sector has learned from the pandemic and overall has anyone changed their practices? Now it is time to react and include health safety as a part of responsibility,” states Piia Sormunen, Industry Professor at Tampere University & Development Manager at Granlund.

The following sessions will bring research insights on measuring and simulating airborne virus spreading, first results and learnings from E3 use case pilots in real hospital and day-care environments as well as case examples regarding design of pandemic-resilient spaces. An important aspect in the event is networking of all participants around the research posters and company booths, so welcome to bring in your views into the discussion!

 

More about E3: https://www.pandemicresponse.fi/