As in-office work resumes, health protocols and safety measures are being reviewed and amended to safeguard employee wellbeing while at work. While many companies have completely embraced remote work structure, other businesses acknowledge the importance of innovating and real-time problem solving that face-to-face collaborations can achieve.
Conducting daily temperature checks upon entering and leaving the workplace, mandatory mask-wearing policies and social distancing are few of the most common activities that businesses have prepared for its people, while these measures are known to be credible, employers must not forget the importance of regulating indoor air quality at work.
Poor workplace indoor air quality
With so many people congregating in an enclosed office space, dust, dirt, and odor can pile up quickly – add any office renovations or new building constructions nearby, no wonder why the air quality in offices is brimmed with pollution. Poor indoor air quality at work can lead to Sick Building Syndrome, with possible symptoms such as throat irritation, breathing difficulties, runny nose, sneezing and coughing. It can also result in more serious ones like asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Additionally, poor indoor air can also contribute to the growth and accumulation of viruses, including Coronavirus.
Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality At Work
If you are wondering how to make indoor air quality better, we at uHoo encourage you to try the following ideas. We promise, practicing all these is all worth it!
Keep your workplace clean
Being in a clean workplace means being in a space with lesser dust and mold levels. To maintain office cleanliness, regularly vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Make sure the windows are clean and if your office uses curtains, ensure that they are washed. Avoid food crumbs, stacks of paper, cables and books or any clutter from your desk.
Change air filters regularly
Conduct regular maintenance to keep HVAC filters clean and change them every 6 months or every year. Filters that are clogged with dust and mold decrease airflow and may cause air contaminants from piling up.
Unblock air vents
Remove furniture, chairs or any equipment and materials away from air vents as these won’t allow the air to recirculate properly.
Increase ventilation
One essential step on how to make indoor air quality better while at work is to increase ventilation. Ventilation is the act of intentionally supplying outdoor air in a room, while removing stale indoor air. The open air, natural light and balanced temperature keep the air fresh and circulating. Moreover, ventilation can also help reduce pollutants that are indoors.
Choose products wisely
Some products like hairspray, perfume, deodorant and office cleaning supplies release VOCs that when combined with indoor air, can be dangerous to health.
Use indoor air quality monitors
Indoor air quality monitors help commercial built environments discover and address air quality problems by measuring various factors that affect indoor air quality. While there are numerous brands promising to provide the best features and technology, still, it is important to find the one that’s most suitable for every business need.
uHoo Aura, the most comprehensive indoor air quality monitoring solutions measures 13 different factors, namely: temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, various particle sizes (PM10, PM4, PM2.5, PM1), carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, VOCs, light, air pressure, and sound. This allows facility managers and business owners to track and adjust their indoor environment based on what is needed and on the readings.
The uHoo Aura sensor comes with a uHoo Virus Index that uses a 10-point scoring that is divided into four categories: Good, Mild, Bad and Severe. With it, business owners will be able to know if the environment is a potential area for viruses to live and take the appropriate action for the health of its people.
Poor indoor air quality in workplaces may come from many different sources, in numerous unexpected ways. By learning how to make indoor air quality better at work, you can protect your employees from the negative effects of indoor air pollution, improve their productivity, strengthen their trust, and ensure the growth of your business.
References:
- Conserve Energy Future
- ECS Commissioning UK
- Petro Home Service
