6 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE AIR QUALITY IN YOUR WORKSPACE

With some of us already slowly returning back to our offices after our nationwide lockdown air quality is definitely something businesses will need to consider to ensure the peace of mind and safety of employees.

With this in mind, please see the below piece title “6 Things you need to know about the air quality in your workspace” for your editorial consideration.

With spring just around the corner, we will soon be opening our windows to let the warm air into the spaces we occupy. But warmth is not the only thing that can fill the air inside. There are many things in our homes and where we work that can negatively affect air quality.

As businesses begin to reopen their office spaces, air quality is of the utmost importance. In some cases, businesses rely solely on air conditioners to regulate airflow as high rise buildings do not have windows that can be opened. In other cases, smaller offices may not have appropriate ventilation.

In the interests of employee health and wellbeing, it’s important to clear the air about some causes of poor indoor air quality.

Chemicals used in consumer products can lead to a harmful indoor environment

Chemicals find their way into products in many different ways and these chemicals, in turn, get into the air we breathe. Flame-retardant chemicals such as polybrominated biphenyl and polychlorinated biphenylare meant to keep us safe from spreading fires but they can be harmful when they fill the air. These chemicals can often be found in products that contain plastic, such as furniture, televisions and products that contain plastic-based foam.

Another common toxin used in consumer products is polyurethane. This chemical is used as a seal on wooden floors and furniture to protect them from damage or give them a shine. Formaldehyde is also a chemical that attributes to poor air quality and is commonly used as an adhesive in carpets, furniture upholstery and panelling.

Most cleaning products contain harmful toxins

Even as we work to keep our homes, surfaces and workspaces clean and virus free, we may also be contributing to poor air quality. Cleaning supplies are a common cause of dangerous toxins getting into the air we breathe. Since these products are used in many areas and on a wide range of surfaces, it is easy for them to circulate into the air. Components, such as volatile organic compounds, ammonia and bleach are used in these products and can be hazardous to our health.

Manufacturing activities can become deadly

In addition to these cleaning products, warehouses, workshops and factories provide their own set of hazards that can include exhaust fumes, heavy-duty cleaning products and dust build-up, as well as toxic materials needed to run operations according to industry standards.

Mould, mildew and more!

Another danger in the air is the presence of mould and mildew. High levels of humidity or moisture in a space, can form mould and mildew. Spores can contribute to a variety of illnesses, and the longer mould and mildew persist, the more spores make it into the air. Mould and mildew are commonly undetectable to the eye and often go overlooked.

If your home or work environment isn’t clean and clutter-free, you may experience poor air quality from a range of things, including dander from pets, dust mites, and pesky cockroaches. These can all contaminate and pollute indoor air.

Outdoor allergens easily contaminate indoor air through open windows

While opening the windows to air out a room for ventilation is recommended to encourage airflow, outdoor pollution, pollen and other allergens can find their way inside. These elements can be a nightmare for people with sensitivities or allergies.

The indoor air quality can aggravate asthma symptoms and seasonal allergies, which can irritate your sinuses, often resulting in illness. These health-related issues can impact your overall wellbeing and affect your on-the-job performance. In the long-term, it could lead to chronic illness, missed work and even salary deductions.

The LG ERV offers multiple configurations to provide more effective ventilation

Proper ventilation can go a long way to create a healthy indoor environment. Opening a window is a simple solution, but that isn’t always enough to ventilate closed or unique environments and keep outdoor allergens at bay. 

The LG Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) is a comprehensive system that can be implemented along with your HVAC system to provide efficient and effective ventilation. The ERV system is also much more consistent and effective at providing clean air than opening windows, and it can also protect from outdoor allergens. The ERV can also actually provide energy savings along with 3-step air purification and CO₂ control in any environment – from homes and offices to commercials buildings, schools and hospitals.

By understanding more about what contributes to poor air quality, we can better understand the importance of maintaining clean air in the spaces we occupy day in and day out. Creating healthy and comfortable environments is an important part of what LG does in providing HVAC solutions to customers.