Here Is Why Companies Should Improve Indoor Air Quality At Work

There has been no other illness in recent history that has managed to spread widespread panic and awareness, such as the coronavirus. Although the importance of air quality in the workplace was slowly gaining more notice, the coronavirus pandemic has pushed this issue to the forefront.

Air quality is essential in places where many people come together, like schools, offices, factories, hospitals, etc. However, poor air quality can harm the overall health of an individual. While the initial effect can be seen through constant headaches and nausea, it could lead to more severe health issues like asthma, respiratory diseases, and even death if the situation remains the same.

Continued exposure to polluted air adds stress on the lungs to supply the body with the needed oxygen and is also detrimental to the vitality of the healthy cells in the body.

Adverse Effects Of Air Pollution

Improving air quality has become more important than ever, as reports show that the fatality rates of coronavirus are more visible in areas with poor air quality.

Although the lockdowns enforced worldwide due to the pandemic have positively improved air quality, the environment has not completely recovered.

According to WHO, air pollution contributes to around 4.2 million death every year. There is no specific demographic that is exempt from the harmful effects of air pollution. Children, young adults, and the elderly — everyone is impacted by air quality. However, children with developing immune systems, the elderly with weaker immune systems, pregnant women, and those already have an underlying respiratory disease.

Common Airborne Pollutants

There are many contributors to poor air quality. However, a few common airborne pollutants play a more significant role than others.

Carbon dioxide — This gas is released through the respiratory processes of humans and animals. Burning fuels also release it.

Ozone — In the upper atmosphere, the ozone gas protects the Earth and its inhabitants from the sun’s harmful UV rays. However, at ground level, ozone becomes toxic to human health. In addition, ozone in combination with vehicular emissions and sunlight creates smog.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are the gaseous substances released from paints, furniture polish, aerosol sprays, pesticides, disinfecting cleaners, printers, glues, etc.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) — this harmful gas is produced when fuel sources like coal, wood, gasoline, etc . are burned or ignited.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) — Nitrogen dioxide is released into the atmosphere when fuel is burned.

Particulate Matter (PM) — Particulate matter comprises minuscule solid particles and liquid droplets floating in the air.

Industrial Pollutants — Any polluting smoke or airborne by-product originating from manufacturing units or other industries is classified as industrial pollutants.

Biological Pollutants — Pollen from flowers, fungus, mold, dust mites, and other organic bacteria are considered biological pollutants.

These are a few of the common air pollutants present in the air and compromise the air quality. However, how harmful these can be to human health is also dependent on how concentrated the gases are, along with other factors that make humans susceptible to infection.

Impact Of Poor Air Quality

Poor air quality as a result of various air pollutants leads to poor quality of life. For example, coronavirus is a disease that attacks the respiratory functions of humans. Coronavirus in a respiratory system weakened over time due to poor air quality could be fatal.

Poor air quality also impacts the growth of grains like maize, wheat, soy, etc. Air pollution has also contributed to the increase in temperatures that the Earth sees every year. Air pollution is also assumed to impact the water levels on the planet due to the disturbance in monsoon patterns.

It can be quite challenging to tackle and reduce the number of pollutants released into the air during routine activities. However, it is possible to reduce the impact of poor air quality in the workplace or any other indoor space. Your Office HVAC/AHU system could be contaminated with pathogens and viruses, that can pose a serious threat to the health of your employees. It is the ideal way to maintain good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and promote productivity.

1. Block Air From Outside

One of the best ways to ensure that people in public spaces like offices and schools can breathe in good quality air is by controlling pollution levels inside the premises.

2. Ventilation Directions

You can seal the building to reduce the inflow of polluted air from outside. For ventilation, shafts can be built at ceiling level rather than building windows at ground level facing the roads or highways. This can reduce the amount of dust and other gaseous particles that enter the premises.

3. Filtration

Public spaces can be fitted with filtration devices that clean indoor polluted air and provide breathing air. Additionally, by installing a Commerical Ultraviolet Air Sanitizer that cleanses harmful viruses, bacteria, and fungi from the air circulating at your workplace.

A tried and tested option is using a UVGI Ultra—Coil or Ultra—Duct, your or Ultra Duct, for your HVAC system to become safe to provide adequate healthy air on the floor for you and your employee to have risk-free working hours. Such a specialized UV system deactivates/kills available pathogens/germs/bacteria and viruses during the cooling cycle through duct and AHU for keeping your office Air Quality under check.

4. Reducing Pollutants Indoors

Most of the substances used inside the schools and offices, like disinfectants, cleaners, chalks, etc., reduce air quality. This can be reduced by replacing the existing products with organic substances that use natural ingredients.

Conclusion

Globally, the world is slowly entering the post-covid era, where vaccinations have made it safer for adults and children to venture into physical offices and schools.

To safeguard human life against respiratory and related health issues, corporate offices and schools need a step-by-step plan to improve air quality indoors.

Almost every modern office spaces, corporates, and commercial establishments have centralized HVAC installations with a huge network of Air Duct. These ducts become an ideal place for breeding bacteria, mold, and viruses that get transported to every part of the offices/premises.

Originally published at https://servicemastercleanindia.com on December 15, 2021.