The Importance of Controlling Allergens and Viruses in the Office

It's no secret that controlling allergens and viruses is important in any setting, but it's especially crucial in an office environment. Offices are a breeding ground for germs because employees are constantly coming into contact with each other.

In this post, we will look at the different types of allergens and viruses that can be found in an office setting, and the products and methods effective in eradicating them from your office space.

The negative impact of allergens and viruses within the office.

Allergens and viruses can have several negative impacts on the working office environment. These include:

Increased absenteeism: Allergens and viruses often cause staff to take time off work, leading to increased absenteeism.

Reduced productivity: ?With employees feeling unwell or off sick due to the allergens and viruses spreading, this leads to decreased productivity levels.

Low morale: Allergens and viruses can cause a feeling of low morale, unhappiness, and stress amongst employees.

Common types of allergens.

There are many different types of allergens and viruses that can be found in an office setting. The most common include:

Dust mites

These tiny creatures are found in almost every office. They thrive in warm, humid environments and are often found in carpets and upholstered furniture. Dust mites are a leading cause of asthma and other respiratory problems.

Pet dander

If you have pets, their dander (skin flakes) can easily become airborne and end up in your office. Pet dander is a common trigger of allergies and asthma. This is becoming a more common problem within working environments as ‘pet-friendly offices’ are becoming much more common.

Mold spores

Mold loves damp, dark places. It can often be found in HVAC systems, coffee pots, and even on office plants. Mold spores can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory infections, headaches, and fatigue.

Pollen

Pollen from trees, grasses, and flowers can enter your office through open windows or doors. If you have seasonal allergies, controlling the amount of pollen in your office can be a challenge.

Each of these allergens can cause a variety of symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, they can even trigger asthma attacks.

Viruses that are commonly spread.

Viruses, on the other hand, can cause a host of respiratory infections, such as the common cold or influenza. The most common viruses found are:

Rhinovirus:??This is the most common virus and is responsible for causing the common cold.

Influenza:?This virus is more severe than the common cold and can cause serious respiratory problems, such as pneumonia.

Adenovirus:?This virus can cause a variety of respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and even meningitis.

Coronaviruses:??These viruses are responsible for causing severe respiratory infections, such as SARS and MERS.

These viruses can be easily spread around an office setting, generally through coughing and sneezing, as well as touching contaminated surfaces.

These are the most common allergens and viruses found in office environments, however, many others can be present. It’s important to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to remove and manage them.

Removing and managing allergens & viruses.

There are a number of products that can be used to control allergens and viruses in the office. These include:

Air purifiers:?Air purifiers can help to remove allergens and viruses from the air, making it safer for people to breathe.

HEPA filters: HEPA filters are designed to trap small particles, including allergens and viruses.

UV germicidal lamps:?UV germicidal lamps can help to kill bacteria and viruses.

Antimicrobial products:?Antimicrobial products can help to kill bacteria and viruses on surfaces, preventing them from spreading.

Each of these products can help to remove some of the allergens and viruses from the air. However, only with regular cleaning, disinfecting, and vacuuming will the number of allergens and viruses lingering in the office be significantly reduced or eradicated.

Call in the professionals!

A-1 Cleaning has a vast array of experience and professional bespoke services dedicated to reducing the spread of allergens and viruses within the office environment, such as:

Daytime Porter Disinfecting - In addition to nightly cleaning, this is the absolute best service you can add to combat Covid-19. Viruses are transported from person to person. So, although we may disinfect your facility nightly with high-tech machines, all that work becomes relatively ineffective if someone contagious comes in while your facility is open. Having a visible porter who cleans the restrooms and common area touchpoints daily is key to stopping the spread.

This service keeps the patrons of your facility safe. It also lowers liabilities and puts everyone at ease as they can see your facility management is being proactive and taking the appropriate steps to combat the spread of the virus.

Electrostatic spraying services - This is one of the most highly effective disinfecting services we can perform. We come in on a nightly or weekly basis with electrostatic sprayers and spray your facility’s high traffic areas and touchpoints. As the disinfecting liquid comes out of the spray gun it is electrostatically charged. This allows the liquid to cling to surfaces and wrap around negatively charged surfaces.

It is especially ideal for objects that cannot be cleaned on a daily basis by hand, such as pens, desk items, paper clips etc. We currently perform this at many facilities, from office buildings to public transit hubs, athletic facilities, and medical offices. It is also used in airplanes, vehicle interiors, schools, and many other places.

Nightly Cleaning -We understand that first impressions are key. A clean and well-maintained facility sends a message to your customers, employees, and visitors that you care about their experience while in your space. We customize each cleaning program to fit the specific needs of your facility.

Day Porter/Matron -We also offer daytime cleaning services which include restroom cleaning, trash removal, and general upkeep of your facility. This is an ideal service for high-traffic businesses that need to maintain a clean and presentable space during business hours.

Carpet Cleaning -We understand the importance of keeping your carpets clean and free of dirt, dust, and allergens. We offer a variety of carpet cleaning services to fit your specific needs.

One-Time Cleaning -We also offer one-time cleaning services for businesses that need a deep clean or are moving into a new space.

Dusting -We offer high dusting services to remove the build-up of dust in hard-to-reach areas.

Vacuuming -We offer detailed vacuuming services to remove the build-up of dirt, dust, and allergens.

Sanitization Stations -We offer sanitization stations to help you keep your facility clean and free of germs.

By controlling the number of allergens and viruses in the office, you can help to improve the health of your employees and the overall working environment. Contact us today for more information on any of our services.