Research has found that indoor air quality within the office environment has a significant impact on work performance and worker’s productivity, health and cognitive ability. We explain why this is and what you can do to improve air quality in your workplace.  

The dangers of poor indoor air quality

Polluted air makes us more prone to airborne infections – colds, flu, Covid-19 – and is known to shorten lives, causing and worsening health problems. Lung cancer, hay fever, asthma, heart disease and mental health problems have all been linked to pollution. We know this because pollution makes global headlines, with images in the media focusing on factories billowing out black smoke, cities covered in smog and people in the street wearing anti-pollution masks.

In fact, people are dying from indoor air pollution as well as outdoor pollution — the inside of an office might not look as striking as a factory chimney as front page news — but it is just as dangerous. It has an impact on a person’s physical health, wellbeing and productivity. 

Numerous studies have found that people make more mistakes and work less efficiently within environments with higher air pollution and that long-term exposure to indoor air pollution increases the risk of dementia and ‘ages’ the brain.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) tells us how the air inside a building will affect a person’s ability to work. Even if your place of work is a well-maintained building, there can be times when the indoor air quality is poor.

Huge amounts of money will be lost every year due to increased absences among employees and productivity problems as a result of poor air quality and it also puts an added strain on the NHS. It is certainly an underrated health concern. 

What causes poor indoor air quality?

One of the reasons that poor indoor air quality isn’t so publicised is that people don’t see it like they can see billowing factory smoke. There are hundreds of air pollutants in workplaces. These include:

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Heightened levels of CO2 cause loss of concentration and drowsiness.  CO2 levels below 1000ppm (parts per million) are considered adequate.

Chemical pollutants

Almost any commercially manufactured item in your workplace emits chemical pollutants including furniture, upholstery, flooring, and walls (the list goes on). The chemicals they emit include polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), formaldehyde, polyurethane and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are compounds that become gases or vapours. VOCs are also released from many consumer products such as solvents and cigarettes and from burning fuel.  Very few offices have been constructed with low VOCs in mind.

Dust

You might think dust is harmless, but without adequate ventilation, dust and dust mites can quickly circulate a building, triggering allergy symptoms in some employees.  Dust can get into lungs and create long-term health issues.

Tobacco smoke

Cigarette smoke contains highly toxic chemical compounds. Smoking stopped within the workplace many years ago, but this doesn’t stop it still polluting the air inside. Even if employees smoke outside the building, the tobacco smoke enters the building on their clothes and skin. 

Mould and mildew

Condensation on the inside of windows can lead to a high moisture content in the air and this can result in mould and mildew. Exposure to mould can cause health issues amongst workers such as eye, throat and skin irritation, headaches, nasal problems and coughing and wheezing. 

How do you improve your workplace indoor air quality?

Fortunately there are a number of things that you can do to improve the quality of air within your workplace:

Make sure that the air is regularly monitored and tested 

Indoor air testing includes using air quality measuring monitors, regularly checking ventilation and cleanliness of filters, water damage and mould, airflow and humidity levels.‍

Use air-cleaning devices

Installing commercial-grade equipment in your workplace is the best way of ensuring the health, safety and continued productivity of your employees. This can include air curtain units and air handling units which will ensure effective climate separation, filtration, control, and management of the indoor air. 

Keep the workspace clean

Use eco-friendly cleaning products as they don’t release chemical compounds into the air. 

If the workplace is clean then there will naturally be less dust and allergens in the air. 

Open windows when possible

Unfortunately it is a myth that indoor plants can help to clean the air. Open windows when possible to create a gentle air flow throughout the space, allow outdoor air to circulate and make sure that air vents are open and not obstructed by office furniture.

Change heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters regularly

Clogged filters are useless, as they can stop airflow and the pollutants can then recirculate and build up within indoor spaces. It is essential that all air movement units and devices are well maintained.

Work performance

Indoor air quality is a vital concern for any workplace as it directly affects work performance. Poor air quality results in employees taking time off due to ill health or continuing to work at a reduced pace and quality. 

Factory workers are found to be less productive on days where the air has high levels of pollution. Office workers have been shown to reach a higher score on a cognitive test in an office environment with good quality air compared to poor, while stock traders are less productive on days when the internal air pollution is higher. 

Air quality is wholly within the control of the directors  of the business, and there are so many things you can do to promote good air quality in the building. The directors of a business are responsible for the health and safety of their employees, their customers and other visitors to their premises.  Directors face prosecution for neglecting any aspect of H&S; and in addition to this the negative publicity impact could have a profound effect on the directors and their business. 

We can help you

If you are interested in finding out how you can increase productivity in your workplace by investing in some air handling equipment give us a call on 01494 525342 and we can give you all the information you need to make an informed decision on the steps you can take to protect employees’ wellbeing and your profits.