Indoor Air Health Risks To Consider In Your Office
Every company understands the importance of strict and updated health and safety policies to protect employees and customers. Health and safety regulations can require frequent reviews to remain compliant with the latest requirements depending on your industry sector. Additionally, appropriate training and sometimes even accreditations are necessary to ensure you can establish safe working conditions for everyone on-site.
However, safety systems and preventive measures typically focus on process and operation management. Indeed, you can provide training to educate staff on how to use heavy equipment or how to handle potentially hazardous substances. Yet, many companies fail to consider how their premises could affect employees' health. Here is what you need to check to create a healthy building for your team and your customers.
Monitor humidity levels
Ideally, humidity levels in the office part of the building should range between 35% and 50%. Depending on the sector, areas in the production chain or storage facility could reach above or below the recommended indoor humidity levels. For instance, a business specializing in marine conservation could host water tanks, which would naturally increase the presence of moisture in the air. But, it's essential for every desk and reception area to keep levels between healthy figures. Increased humidity could lead to mold formation and attract pests. In the long term, it can increase the risk of respiratory discomfort for vulnerable members of staff. Some of the most frequently overseen causes of high humidity are roof and external wall damage and hidden plumbing problems. Therefore, business buildings must keep up with maintenance schedules, ensuring they work with a professional commercial roofer team for roof and gutter issues and a plumbing expert to check pipes and water systems yearly. Prolonged exposure to high humidity levels can affect your team's immune system and lead to chronic respiratory distress.
Reduce indoor air pollution
Indoor air pollution is a lot more frequent than you might realize. As Americans spend almost 90% of their time indoors, it's essential to monitor the presence of pollutants inside your office. Several studies by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that pollution in indoor environments could be higher than outside.
The presence of toxic particles in the air can be linked to the use of chemical products (as part of your cleaning strategy), equipment containing potentially harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, which can be found in plywood, insulation materials, and fiberboards, and ineffective ventilation systems. For example, failing to change the HVAC filters could contribute to toxins being released by the air-con system rather than captured by the filter. Air purifying devices can help reduce harmful particles in the air. Additionally, according to a NASA study, some plants are also highly effective in clearing indoor air, improving quality, and increasing oxygen.
Indoor pollution is linked to premature death, sick building syndrome, and chronic respiratory diseases. Unfortunately, many companies fail to consider toxin risks inside their premises. Comparatively, industrial businesses handling highly toxic products may show better indoor air management strategies than traditional offices!
Are your premises safe for your team? Contrary to common belief, the office could be one of the deadliest workplaces in America. However, as risks are invisible, premature death and long-term discomfort are rarely associated with unhealthy work buildings.
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