Better air quality in the workplace mean improved comfort and health for all occupants. Protect staff health and enhance work performance with these four tips for improving indoor air quality in offices.
1. Use Commercial Filtration Systems
Commercial-grade air filtration systems and air cleaners filter allergens and pollutants. Commercial air purifiers are easy to install and operate, protecting building occupants from materials that can trigger allergic responses or illness.
HEPA Filters
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are commonly used in commercial and residential air purifiers, and they are ideal for capturing pollen, mold, dust, and other particulate matter. You must change replaceable HEPA filters every 6 to 12 months, depending on your specific filter type and environmental air quality.
Air purifiers also contain pre-filters. A carbon pre-filter captures larger particles and eliminates odors. You should change the carbon pre-filter every 2 to 4 weeks for optimal performance.
2. Keep the Office Clean
A clean workplace has lower levels of mold, dust, allergens, and airborne contaminants. Eco-friendly cleaning products can be marked with ecolabel certifications to indicate that they meet environmental performance standards, making them better for office-wide use.
The most common contaminant you will notice in your office is dust. Dust is made of sloughed-off skin cells, clothing fibers, bacteria, dust mites, hair, and other things that can dry and flake. Use a damp microfiber cloth to effectively remove dust from shelves, desks, and other hard surfaces. Vacuum regularly to remove dust from soft surfaces.
3. Ventilate Rooms
Another essential tip for improving indoor air quality in offices is to ventilate rooms. When possible, open the windows to let in fresh air—even partially opened windows can improve indoor air quality.
When the HVAC system is on, ensure air vents are not blocked. Furniture and other items in front of air vents disrupt air circulation and damage the HVAC system.
4. Test Air Quality for VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are air pollutants found in some paints, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, disinfectants, and other common items. The World Health Organization classifies the three types of VOCs based on how easily they are released into the air. VOCs are emitted as gases that irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
Periodically test air quality to protect your workplace from VOCs. Some VOCs are known to cause cancer, while others are suspected carcinogens. Reducing VOC exposure protects the health of workers and other building occupants.
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