Do you know what's in your air?

23 September 2019

What's in your air? Oxygen? Yep. Carbon Dioxide? Yep.

And what else?

Cooped up inside offices, we can be exposed to many different types of toxic by-products. These can come from outdoor air pollution, from printer inks, and even from our desks! Toxic substances such as these contribute heavily towards 'Sick Building Syndrome', which can leave workers with headaches, irritated airways and other unpleasant health issues. This can lead to an increase in sick days taken, incurring large costs for organisations.

Here is a list of some common indoor pollutants:

Formaldehyde

This is a colourless, flammable, strong smelling chemical used to make building materials and many household products. Found in paper bags, waxed papers, facial tissues, paper towels, plywood panelling, and synthetic fabrics. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure include: irritation to nose, mouth and throat, and in severe cases, swelling of the larynx and lungs. This is also used for preserving organs and for embalming dead bodies.

Ammonia

Ammonia is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. It is a building-block chemical and a key component in the manufacture of many products people use every day. It occurs naturally in the air, soil and water and in plants and animals, including humans. The human body makes ammonia when the body breaks down foods containing protein into amino acids and ammonia, then converting the ammonia into urea. It is found in window cleaners, floor waxes, smelling salts, and fertilizers. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure include: eye irritation, coughing, sore throat, and, in severe cases, burns.

Trichloroethylene

Also known as TCE, this is a volatile colourless liquid used to make refrigerants and solvents. It can be found in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives, and paint removers. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure include: excitement, dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting followed by drowsiness and coma. This toxin effects the nervous system, liver, respiratory system, kidneys blood, immune system, heart, and body weight, and can cause scleroderma (a systemic autoimmune disease) in some people.

Benzene

This is a chemical that is a colourless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet odour and is highly flammable. It evaporates into the air very quickly. Its vapour is heavier than air and may sink into low-lying areas. Used to make plastics, resins, lubricants, detergents, and drugs and found in tobacco smoke, glue, and furniture wax. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure include: irritation to eyes, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, increased heart rate, confusion and in some cases can result in unconsciousness, or even death (at very high levels). This also can affect bone marrow and bone formation and has been proven to cause leukaemia.

Xylene

This is a colourless liquid that had a sweet odour. It is flammable and practically insoluble, and evaporates quickly. Found in rubber, leather, tobacco smoke, varnish and vehicle exhaust fumes. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure include: irritation to mouth and throat, dizziness, headache, confusion, heart problems, liver and kidney damage and coma.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

This harmful, highly reactive gas is formed by emissions from vehicles and factories during the burning of fuel. It is high in concentration in regions that are congested with vehicles and traffic. The gas is a respirator irritant, causing specific damage to the cardiovascular and respiratory system. It is known to cause airway inflammation among healthy individuals. Long exposure can also lead to the development of asthma and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

This is a highly reactive gas that carries a nasty, sharp smell. It reacts easily with other substances to form harmful compounds, such as sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid and sulphate particles. Sulphur dioxide is formed by the burning of fuels in industries and factories. It irritates the nose, throat, and airways to cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or a tight feeling around the chest due to its effect on the lining of the lungs. The effects of sulphur dioxide are felt very quickly and most people would feel the worst symptoms in 10 or 15 minutes after breathing it in.

Suspended Particulate Matter

Suspended Particulate Matter, or SPM, is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air many of which are hazardous. This complex mixture includes both organic and inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. These particles vary greatly in size, composition, and origin. It consists of microscopically small solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air. The smaller the particles, the deeper they can penetrate into the respiratory system and the more hazardous they are to breathe. Its short effects include irritation of the eyes and the respiratory tract, with the long term exposure causing asthma and weaker cardiovascular function, including vascular inflammation and Atherosclerosis. Worldwide, 5 million deaths are believed to be caused by SPM by particulates each year.

It's important to know about and be aware of any potential pollutants in your workspace, so you can address issues and keep your workforce happy and healthy.

There are various ways to combat these airborne hazards, including filtration, plants and ventilation. If you have an office and you suspect you have any one of these in your office, do get in touch for a chat.