Our surroundings are quite polluted. It’s a depressing reality, but it’s the reality. Every day, our news channels are strewn with images of garbage beaches, animals discovered with plastic tabs stuck on them, and even our feed is polluted with fake news! One serious problem is poor indoor air quality.
The Problem of Pollution in the Air
We believe that one of the most dangerous types of pollution is the kind that we can’t keep out of our bodies. Air pollution is a problem. Our cities’ pollution levels are horrendous!
But what’s even worse than outdoor air pollution? Indoor air pollution. That’s what happens when indoor air becomes stagnant and dirty due to a lack of ventilation. This is especially problematic in locations where people don’t open their windows regularly to let fresh air in, such as the office. Worse still, it has the potential to harm the health of employees.
A Health Risk to You and Your Employees
But what kind of risks are we talking about? Employees being unwell while at work is the first sign that your office’s indoor air quality is poor. This can easily be mistaken for other health issues or stress, but the symptoms of indoor air pollution-related health issues disappear as people leave the office.
Here are a few of the most prevalent signs and symptoms:
- Headaches
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Viruses and Colds
- Breathing problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Allergies
- And there’s more.
Worse, these sensations can soon develop into air poisoning, which can lead to more significant health problems such as asthma and other respiratory problems. The World Health Organization has categorized some indoor air pollutants as carcinogens, or substances that can cause cancer.
What Are Some Factors That Contribute to Poor Air Quality?
The major source of poor air quality is particles that would typically be blown away if released in the open air. The most common of these particles is dust that has accumulated over a long time. To be more explicit, there are three main groups of air pollutants:
Biologically Derived Contaminants
These pollutants are produced by living organisms such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Pollutants from pets and plants, such as animal hair, dander, and pollen are also included in this category.
Chemicals’ Contaminants
These are yet another major cause of air pollution, which usually manifests itself as fumes and vapors. Combustion by-products, such as the components that burn away with tobacco when you smoke, as well as spilled cleaning supplies and strong perfume, fall into this category. Toxic chemicals like lead and mercury may be present in the air due to their presence in commonly used office supplies and equipment.
Particulate Contaminants
Finally, there are microscopic particles in the air such as wood shavings, concrete dust, and asbestos—tiny particles that are often created by construction projects and can readily be inhaled without proper protection.
Yes, there are a variety of contaminants that may weak havoc on the interior air quality of your business. Worse, because the majority of them aren’t immediately visible, they may be difficult to detect. Some contaminants don’t even have an odor! At this point, you would want to check for the best MERV 16 filters.
How to Spot Potential Indoor Air Quality Problems
You may do so by doing an air test. There are two options:
- By enlisting the help of professionals. The first and most straightforward method is to get your air tested by qualified specialists. We recognize that having your air tested professionally might be costly, but the peace of mind and convenience it provides is unquestionably worth it.
- By doing the task yourself. If you’re wondering if there’s a DIY alternative, you’ll be happy to learn that home testing kits are available for purchase online. A home kit will provide thorough instructions on how to collect adequate air samples, which you can then send to a lab for analysis. However, you will most likely have to wait a few days to a few weeks for your findings, but the cost is minor.
But what if you discover that your office has poor air quality? This can happen even if you’ve had it cleaned. We recommend contacting a professional air cleaning company to guarantee that your air is fully decontaminated.
Depending on the situation, your company may need to lock down a particular section or take a few days off during the operation to avoid cross-contamination across rooms.
The air quality in your office will be tested again following the decontamination as a precaution. This is to check that the procedure was successful and that your air quality is back to normal. The cleaning staff would next give you recommendations on maintaining your outstanding air quality and installing various air filtering systems.
How to Improve Your Workplace’s Indoor Air Quality
Here are some tried-and-true ways to improve the quality of the air in your office:
Improve the area’s ventilation. The first step is to open up your air vents and keep them clear so that stale air can depart and new air can enter. Even the simple act of periodically opening windows can have a big impact.
Improve your ability to filter air. Replace air filters regularly. Installing commercial-grade air systems in your office and learning how to run them yourself will save you a lot of money compared to hiring professional air cleaners on a regular basis.
Invest in some houseplants. To filter the air you breathe, don’t rely exclusively on equipment and electrical devices. Indoor plants may absorb stale air and produce fresh air, and you can rely on Mother Nature for help. Furthermore, simply having greenery in the space helps to freshen everything up.
Do not allow smoking on the premises. This includes places where there are open windows or air vents. Designate smoking and vaping areas. We understand that some employees may not like their employers forcing them to go a great distance just to smoke, but it’s for the health of the entire company, including theirs.
Conclusion
It’s tempting to believe that poor indoor air quality isn’t a problem that has to be addressed right now, especially given how much it may cost. However, it has a significant impact on the health and happiness of your staff. Believe us when we say that happy and healthy employees not only do better work, but they also become more productive!
Many people misunderstand and underestimate the significance of air quality. This is why we are so enthusiastic about this subject and want to write and share as much as we can about our experiences and expertise with others. Make a name for yourself as a company that prioritizes employee wellness. Consider it an investment in helping your company grow. Click here for more.
As a result of reading this essay, you should have learned something new. On this page, you’ll find other suggestions: How High Indoor Humidity Affects Your Home and Your Health
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