Since your employees spend upwards of one-third of their lives at work, your office air quality must be at a consistently high level to keep everyone healthy and productive. It’s clear that the environment at your workplace can make a big difference in whether employees can think clearly, concentrate, and help your business achieve its mission.
We are constantly hearing about ergonomic improvements in chairs and keyboards, the importance of walking around after sitting, and even taking mental midday breaks for a quick game of ping-pong. Paying attention to office indoor air quality should trump even these more popular priorities. After all, we breathe every minute of every day.
In fact, the Wall Street Journal reports that businesses should consider updating their air systems and taking additional measures like, renting HEPA filtration systems in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality in Offices?
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the most common causes of office air quality problems are:
- Poor Ventilation
Keeping a mammoth ventilation system up and running and always at its best is a challenge. In addition, many large, older office buildings may simply have poorly designed ventilation systems that can cause lingering indoor air pollutants. - Lack of Fresh Air
Although tightly sealed buildings help conserve energy, they also prevent fresh air exchange. Large buildings that don’t have windows and doors that open regularly miss out on letting new air in. - Contaminated Air
Most things within an office shed indoor air pollutants that can build up over time. Furniture, carpet, paper, ink cartridges, and cleaning chemicals all release potential allergens and contaminants. In addition, unaddressed humidity issues can foster the growth of mold and fungus.
How to Keep Your Office Air Quality Clean
Many technologies are available to help you improve office air quality to keep your employees healthy and productive. Consider these office indoor air quality solutions:
- Air Scrubbers
Portable air scrubbers can filter air particles as small as 0.3 microns in size, removing a wide host of indoor air pollutants. Add HEPA negative air machines to the space for even greater filtration. Operating with a 99.97% efficiency rate, these machines employ three stages to improve office air quality. - Dehumidifiers
The healthiest and most comfortable humidity level for indoor spaces is between 30% and 50%. Flooding, water leaks, and a poorly maintained HVAC system can contribute to higher humidity levels, which can cause mold and fungus problems. Use dehumidifiers that can work with your HVAC system to keep humidity levels within the ideal range. - HVAC and Air Duct System
Be sure that your HVAC system, all ventilation equipment, and your office air ducts are cleaned, inspected, and tuned-up on a regular basis. Preventive maintenance in these systems is critical to keeping office air quality at a high, healthy level.
For more information about improving office indoor air quality, contact Priority Rental at 1-800-810-4181. You can find air scrubber and dehumidifier rentals as well as temporary heating and cooling options for businesses upgrading their HVAC systems.