Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the world has started to approach global health from a micro-scale, focusing on combating the spread at a communal level. Business owners may consider stocking bathrooms, kitchens, and common areas with hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and antibacterial soap. However, they should also analyze indoor air quality within the office for a complete snapshot of workplace health. Here we share with you the effects of indoor air quality and provide tips on improving the quality within the office.
Effects of Subpar Indoor Air Quality
We have long heard of the negative impacts of air quality in much of the developing world, large cities, or industrial areas. However, we often overlook that the air infiltrating our offices, grocery stores, and nursing homes may come from power plants, diesel generators, or nearby highways. Poor air can impact overall physical and mental health, slowing down cognitive functions and even making it difficult to breath. Subpar air quality can also instigate health issues or exacerbate existing conditions like asthma, allergies, or other respiratory illnesses. Studies show that inhaling polluted air on a regular basis can negatively affect focus, energy, and proficiency, making it more difficult for staff to do their jobs.
Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality
An office’s air quality can be influenced both by external factors and internal elements. Oftentimes, a building’s location can dictate the status of the air circulating around the office. However, if your workplace is located in a remote or rural location, you may still have inferior air flowing through the building.
Depending on the age of your building, hazardous materials may have been used during construction that are no longer in use today. Lead paint, asbestos, and certain adhesives may pose a threat to the long-term health of employees working nearby. While certain materials aren’t toxic unless disturbed, those working in close proximity are still at risk of developing long-term health related issues.
Standard air systems improve the air quality by replacing used air with fresh, clean air. However, if not properly maintained, they may do more harm than good. Most base-level units come with a simple ventilation system that removes some (not all) pollutants. Boosting your air ventilation system with a high-quality filter can dramatically improve the indoor air quality, leading to a healthier office atmosphere.
The Benefits of Air Hygiene
While it’s still too early to tell if air filtration systems have the power to trap coronavirus, there is a direct link between air purity and physical health. As we learn more about how the flu and viruses are transmitted through the air, we know cleaning the air helps mitigate the spread of airborne diseases and can decrease the chance of viruses traveling through an enclosed space. High-quality HEPA filters, like the AreaMax Professional purifier, can remove pathogens in the air, making the surrounding area safer for those with compromised immune systems.
We often focus on cleaning our hands and the surfaces we interact with, but easily overlook what we take in each minute of each day – air! If the indoor air quality of our offices, apartments, stores, and homes is compromised, so too is our health. EON Office provides exceptional air purifying filtration systems to ensure your enclosed air is fresh, clean, and pollutant-free. Contact us today to learn more.
