By SPEER Intern, Vaishnavi Kharade
Introduction: Bridging Infrastructure and Health
When we think of public health, images of hospitals, vaccines, or community health programs often come to mind. Rarely do we picture manufacturing plants, HVAC ducts, or lighting systems. But what if the infrastructure inside industrial facilities plays a more critical role in shaping health outcomes than we realize?
The Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) is poised to demonstrate just that. Through its Infrastructure Assessment and Training Center (ITAC), OSU is helping small and medium-sized manufacturers improve their operational systems—not just for energy savings, but for the health and well-being of the workforce and surrounding communities.
While ITAC’s primary focus is on improving efficiency in energy, water, waste, and productivity, its recommendations have powerful ripple effects on public health. Upgrades to systems like HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), lighting, and compressed air not only reduce emissions and operating costs—they also transform the indoor environment in ways that protect workers from respiratory illnesses, reduce heat stress, and create safer, healthier workplaces.
This blog explores how ITAC’s infrastructure-focused assessments will evolve from being sustainability tools to becoming public health interventions.
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*Photo credit: Oklahoma State University
What Will ITAC Do?
The Oklahoma State University Industrial Assessment Center is one of several IACs across the nation funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Since 1982, OSU’s IAC has completed over 1,100 assessments, resulting in $137.6 million in recommended cost savings, 259 students trained, and over 14.8 trillion BTUs of estimated energy savings. The work is technical, data-driven, and detailed—but beneath the surface lies an overlooked narrative: the health impact of infrastructure.
Through ITAC, engineers and student interns conduct in-depth evaluations of industrial systems and identify opportunities for improvement. These assessments focus on:
- HVAC Systems: assessing energy efficiency, ventilation rates, and thermal comfort.
- Compressed Air Systems: identifying leaks, pressure imbalances, and energy waste that can also affect noise and air quality.
- Lighting: evaluating brightness levels, energy usage, and impact on worker vision and fatigue.
- Steam Systems: ensuring proper insulation, pressure regulation, and minimizing burns or excessive heat.
- Motors and Drives: optimizing speed and control to reduce vibrations, overheating, and mechanical failure.
While the main driver for these assessments is energy conservation, they will also be used to support healthier work environments. For example, an inefficient HVAC system doesn’t just raise energy bills—it can allow mold to grow, circulate airborne contaminants, and cause uneven temperatures that strain worker health. Similarly, poor lighting can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and mental stress, especially in shift workers. ITAC will aim to reduce these exposures by helping industries modernize outdated systems.
The connection between industrial infrastructure and public health becomes clear when we consider indoor environmental quality (IEQ). According to the EPA, Americans spend nearly 90% of their time indoors, and indoor air quality can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. For industrial workers, who may spend 8 to 12 hours in the same environment daily, that exposure is even more significant.
By addressing ventilation inefficiencies, ITAC will help reduce the presence of pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and dust. Improved filtration and air circulation will protect workers from respiratory illnesses, especially those with asthma, allergies, or chronic bronchitis.
Temperature control is another important factor. Poorly regulated environments—often found in older manufacturing sites—can expose workers to heat stress, dehydration, and fatigue. ITAC will recommend measures to balance temperature across work areas, mitigating the risk of heat-related illnesses that disproportionately affect older adults and those with pre-existing conditions.
In addition, compressed air and steam systems can pose direct safety hazards. When poorly maintained, they lead to high noise levels, pressure fluctuations, and even explosive mechanical failures. By recommending system optimization and preventive maintenance, ITAC will reduce workplace injury risks—thus supporting occupational health.
How Will Infrastructure Upgrades Support Public Health?
The future of industrial efficiency will not be limited to kilowatts and dollars—it will increasingly intersect with the health and equity of the people who operate within these environments. Through its assessments, training programs, and partnerships with regional industries, ITAC will serve as a vital bridge between sustainability and health equity.
Infrastructure is often the silent determinant of health in industrial settings. Workers may not see the microscopic particles circulating in poorly ventilated spaces or immediately feel the long-term effects of repetitive noise exposure, but these elements significantly shape occupational health outcomes. ITAC’s assessments offer a proactive approach—identifying environmental hazards embedded within outdated systems and providing data-driven strategies to mitigate them.
Focus Area: HVAC and Indoor Air Quality
HVAC systems are one of the most direct pathways through which industrial infrastructure influences public health. A well-functioning HVAC system ensures proper air circulation, filtration, and thermal regulation. Conversely, a neglected system can become a vector for mold spores, dust, fumes, and volatile compounds that degrade indoor air quality and harm respiratory health.
ITAC assessments will evaluate HVAC system age, airflow balance, filter integrity, energy performance, and maintenance schedules. The resulting recommendations may include replacing outdated units with high-efficiency models, installing smart thermostats, improving insulation to prevent thermal loss, or adding HEPA filters to capture airborne irritants.
These changes are especially critical in industries that produce particulate matter or chemical fumes—such as metalworking, plastics, and food manufacturing. In such settings, indoor air can become two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, exacerbating risks for workers with asthma, allergies, or chronic bronchitis. ITAC’s work not only reduces these exposures but also contributes to a more stable indoor climate, which is crucial for worker comfort, focus, and hydration.
By reducing airborne contaminants and creating thermally stable environments, improved HVAC systems contribute directly to public health objectives. They promote respiratory wellness, reduce risks of heat-related illness, and align with national goals for healthy workplaces.
Lighting, Layout, and Safety
Though often overlooked, lighting and layout design have profound effects on occupational health and safety. Poor lighting can result in eye strain, headaches, accidents due to low visibility, and psychological stress—particularly for shift workers operating in dark or dimly lit areas. ITAC assessments will recommend energy-efficient lighting systems such as LEDs that provide consistent brightness, reduce glare, and mimic natural light patterns.
Better lighting enhances visibility and improves mood and cognitive clarity. For facilities operating 24/7, circadian lighting strategies can be employed to minimize disruption to workers’ natural biological rhythms, supporting sleep quality and mental health.
In terms of layout, many industrial facilities were designed for maximum throughput, not ergonomic ease. Workers may need to twist, lift, bend, or reach repeatedly—leading to musculoskeletal injuries over time. ITAC teams will observe workflow patterns and suggest modifications such as improved shelving heights, anti-fatigue matting, better spacing between equipment, or optimized materials handling processes.
These changes reduce physical strain and promote injury prevention. They also support inclusive workspaces—benefiting older adults, workers with disabilities, and those recovering from past injuries. In short, by refining layout and lighting, ITAC helps transform hazardous workspaces into environments that support both safety and productivity.
Long-Term Benefits: Health Equity and Worker Well-being
One of the most transformative aspects of ITAC’s work is its potential to advance health equity. Many of the facilities ITAC serves are located in rural areas or in communities where industrial jobs are central to economic survival. These workers—often employed in physically demanding, lower-wage positions—may lack access to consistent healthcare, workplace health programs, or environmental protections.
In these settings, infrastructure improvements become a public health imperative. A better ventilated facility can reduce asthma attacks and missed workdays. Safer steam and compressed air systems can prevent injuries that lead to disability or financial hardship. Enhanced lighting and layout can reduce ergonomic wear and tear that disproportionately affects aging or female workers. These upgrades not only improve individual well-being but also uplift entire communities.
ITAC’s model emphasizes hands-on assessments, technical training, and community partnership. By training student engineers and collaborating with local manufacturers, ITAC is developing a workforce that understands how sustainability intersects with social responsibility. It’s a holistic approach—one that puts health and equity at the center of infrastructure decisions.
Conclusion: A Future Partner in Public Health
As we look ahead, it’s clear that infrastructure will play a larger role in public health than ever before. Industrial environments—once seen solely as economic engines—are now recognized as settings where health is either supported or compromised. ITAC stands at the forefront of this shift, transforming energy assessments into health interventions.
ITAC helps transform potentially hazardous workspaces into environments that support both safety and productivity. The future of public health lies not just in treatment but in prevention. And prevention can begin with something as simple as better airflow, quieter equipment, or improved lighting. Through its assessments, ITAC is quietly building healthier workplaces and training future professionals to think beyond efficiency.
By modernizing infrastructure, ITAC is not only helping businesses thrive—it’s helping build healthier, more resilient workforces. In doing so, it demonstrates that public health is not just about hospitals or health departments; it’s also about air ducts, temperature control, lighting systems, and the quiet but powerful infrastructure all around us.
Public health leaders, policymakers, and industry decision-makers should recognize ITAC and similar programs as essential partners in creating resilient, equitable communities. When we invest in healthy infrastructure, we invest in healthier lives—and ITAC is showing us the blueprint.