Clear The Air: How To Improve Workplace Air Quality
Air quality is something that many business owners overlook, but it can be very important to consider for the health and productivity of you and your workers.
While air pollution can be obvious in some work environments like chemical factories and workshops, it can be a more hidden issue in other workplaces such as offices and shops. However, eventually you and your workers may notice yourselves feeling nauseous, getting headaches, becoming wheezy or getting itchy eyes - these could all be signs of sick building syndrome (SBS).
SBS is the result of poor air quality. Various invisible contaminants could be in the air causing harm to you and your team, which could include:
Dust
VOCs
Mold spores
Pollen
Radon
In the long run, exposure to these contaminants could lead to increased absenteeism, poor concentration and reduced morale. There could even be a risk of developing serious respiratory issues like bronchitis, aspergillosis or lung cancer. By cleaning the air, you can eliminate such health risks and improve your team’s mood and productivity. Below are a few steps that outline how to do this.
Improve ventilation
The first step to better air quality is improving ventilation. Make sure fresh air is getting in and old stale air is being pumped out.
Opening windows is the simplest way to ventilate a building. Opening two or more windows allows cross-ventilation - just 10 to 15 minutes per day of doing this can make a difference.
Of course, not all buildings have windows that can be easily opened or there may simply be too much outdoor pollution to open windows, in which case a good ventilation system is key. HVAC systems can help to circulate air using fans, while also using filters to remove dust, allergens and other contaminants. Just be sure that you’re regularly getting your HVAC services and replacing filters when they get dirty.
Certain workplaces like manufacturing plants can require more serious technology such as jet dust collectors. These need to also be regularly inspected - a faulty part such as a broken Goyen diaphragm valve could lead to inefficient cleaning.
Try to avoid blocking vents with machinery, furniture or boxes as this will lead to poor ventilation and filtration too. Know where each vent is and warn employees to not block these events.
Control moisture and mold
Humidity can be another problem to keep on top of. When there is a lot of moisture in the air, it can cause mold and bacteria to thrive, which will give off an odor and make people sick. It could also encourage dust mites to thrive, which could be bad news for employees with a dust mite allergy.
Indoor humidity should be kept at a level of 40 to 60% - not too dry, but not too humid. If your workplace is based in a naturally humid part of the world, consider purchasing a hygrometer to measure humidity levels and invest in a workplace dehumidifier to help reduce moisture levels.
Some air purifiers may come with dehumidification settings while also helping to remove contaminants using HEPA filters. These could be worth looking into if you’ve got a mold or dust problem.
Moisture can come from many places, so it’s important to consider the various possible sources if you’re getting a lot of condensation and mold, but are not based in a particularly humid location. Check first for plumbing or rainwater leaks, as these are common causes of mold growth. Make sure that floors are also not getting soaked with mop water or water from wet shoes - use dry mops to get rid of excess water or place portable heaters near entrances to prevent hard floor puddles or soggy carpets.
Reduce VOC exposure
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are chemicals released by certain cleaning products, paints, adhesive and synthetic materials that can cause health problems if regularly exposed to them.
An overly chemical-scented odor in your office could be a sign that there are too many VOCs in the air. Reduce these pollutants by choosing low-VOC cleaning products or eco-labeled paints. Even synthetic carpets or artificial rubber floors can give off VOCs, so be careful when choosing these products during renovations.
It’s also worth noting that smoking and vaping can introduce these chemicals to the air too. Most workplaces have a ‘no smoking indoors’ policy, but not all have the same approach to vaping - consider whether a stricter policy could help to keep air quality better.
Check for more serious hazards
Some buildings can present more serious hazards, which need to be looked into. Asbestos can be a problem in many old buildings - it’s typically not harmful unless disturbed, but it only takes someone to drill a hole in a wall that contains asbestos, and you could end up putting all your workers at risk of mesothelioma. Consequently, it’s a good idea to schedule for asbestos to be removed by professionals.
Radon can be an issue in some locations. This is a radioactive gas naturally found in the earth in some places that can seep up into buildings and has been strongly linked to lung cancer. Ordering a radon test kit and installing a radon mitigation system is recommended if you live in a high-risk area (you can research which locations have high radon levels online).
Introduce indoor plants
Plants can’t magically fix serious air quality problems, but they can be part of a healthier environment. Not only can some plants help to mildly reduce humidity levels, but they can also introduce fresh oxygen to the air - which can help to boost concentration levels.
Indoor plants also add a sense of calm and improve aesthetics. You are best off choosing hardy varieties that can withstand low light and occasional neglect (check out this RHS guide to the best office plants). Assign someone in charge of being the workplace ‘gardener’ - they can water and provide basic care for plants around the office when needed.
Avoid plants with strong odors as these may trigger hayfever in some people. You should also avoid overwatering plants, as this can cause mold growth in soil, which can then encourage mold spores in the air.