Improving Indoor Air Quality by Addressing Its Overlooked Sources

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a significant impact on the health, comfort, and performance of office workers. Yet many organizations overlook how aspects of their office environment contribute to poor IAQ. By addressing these overlooked IAQ influencers, facilities managers can greatly improve air quality and in turn, productivity.

The Impact of Poor IAQ on Office Workers

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand the scope of the problem. Poor IAQ exposes workers to air pollutants that can cause immediate issues like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.?

However the impacts also compound over months and years. Asthma, respiratory diseases, and even heart disease have all been linked to frequently breathing unclean indoor air. This leads to more employee sick days, health issues, and even low morale amongst the workforce having to come to work in such environments daily.

Overlooked Culprit #1: The HVAC System

One of the most vital yet overlooked components impacting IAQ is the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Failure to replace air filters regularly allows dust particles, pollen allergens and other contaminants to easily spread through ducts into offices. Old inefficient HVAC components like fans, humidifiers and coils often become mold breeding grounds sending spores airborne.?

Poor HVAC circulation also lets air stagnate, not bringing in enough fresh air from outside. Facilities managers must be diligent about system inspections, replacements and repairs to prevent these common HVAC issues from significantly degrading indoor air.

Overlooked Culprit #2: Furniture & Finishes?

From cubicle partitions and carpet fibers to permanent markers and cleaning solutions, office furnishings introduce substances that decrease IAQ. Furniture finishes, adhesives and flame retardants often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate into the air. New furniture in particular goes through an off-gassing period releasing VOCs. Facilities managers can coordinate proper off-site staging or ventilation to address this.?

Monitoring VOC levels and specifying low or no VOC furnishings reduces exposure. Ensuring all new furniture meets emissions standards set by agencies indicates quality products.

Overlooked Culprit #3: Outdoor Pollution Sources

Lastly, outdoor air pulled inside also impacts IAQ. Air intakes near loading docks, garages or street level traffic intake higher levels of particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Strategically placing intakes away from major pollution sources filters out these harmful particles. Plants, trees and green spaces between intakes and pollution sources serve as natural air filters too.?

By addressing overlooked contributors to poor IAQ like HVAC systems, office furnishings and outdoor intake locations, facilities managers can substantially elevate workplace air quality. Companies experience much greater employee satisfaction, comfort, health and productivity by creating cleaner indoor office environments through relatively simple means.

Conclusion

Employing a professional integrated facilities management (IFM) company can further enhance control over indoor air quality. IFM providers conduct air quality testing to establish baselines and ensure issues get promptly identified.?

They track key metrics like air particulates, CO2, VOCs, ventilation rates and humidity levels against health and performance benchmark standards. Leveraging data insights, IFM teams optimize ventilation, filtration, humidity and purification systems for peak efficiency.?

Trained IFM staff regularly inspect risky overlooked areas as HVAC components or furnishings for early issue detection. With holistic data-driven facility oversight, they pinpoint IAQ improvement opportunities tailored to each unique office environment.?

Professional IFM companies not only identify IAQ risks but have the multi-disciplinary skills in-house from HVAC technicians to interior design experts to promptly address root causes.?

Partnering with a quality IFM provider establishes comprehensive monitoring and management of indoor air quality.