How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in a Commercial Building

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping your employees safe and healthy in the workplace is important.

Keeping your employees safe and healthy in the workplace is important. After all, as a business owner, your employees are one of your most valuable assets. But when talking about creating healthy habits in the workplace, improving the quality of the air indoors is rarely mentioned.

Considering that breathing is something we do all day, every day, it’s important that the air we’re breathing is clean and fresh. But according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside the average building is roughly five times more polluted than the air outside. This means you and your employees are likely subjected to indoor air pollutants, which can lead to health ailments (and sick days!) Fortunately, there are ways you can put an end to poor indoor air quality, like these three tips below.

1. Stop Indoor Air Pollutants at the Source

When it comes to indoor air quality, prevention is key. Poor conditions contribute to poor indoor air quality in the workplace, like leaky roofs and air conditioning system malfunctions (think improper cleaning, poor maintenance and the like). These conditions can lead to an influx of dander, dirt, dust, mold and other potentially harmful indoor air pollutants. While there are numerous ways to decrease these pollutants, prevention should be emphasized. Preventive efforts can be made in lots of ways. For example, always opt for all natural products, such as vinegar-based cleaning detergents. If you can, choose EPA recommended and indoor air quality safe products that are non-toxic.

2. Learn and Educate Yourself About Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air pollution is a big concern, yet many business owners and their employees know little about what it is or how it could potentially affect them. Long-term exposure to indoor air pollutants has been linked to numerous illnesses, including serious illnesses like respiratory disease and certain cancers. Because indoor air quality is so important, education is crucial. As a business owner, it’s a good idea to take the initiative to learn about indoor air pollutants and how you can improve the quality of the air you and your employees breathe. Take a more comprehensive look at indoor air quality.

3. Invest in Indoor Air Quality Solutions

When it comes to improving the quality of the air you breathe, a few small investments can make all the difference. Investing in a dehumidifier, for example, can remove up to 90 pints of excess moisture per day, which will help provide natural ventilation and improve the quality of the air inside. Another great option is installing a UV-C light system, which uses ultraviolet light to destroy volatile organic compounds from your commercial building.