Air contains oxygen which is essential to human survival. But, have you ever stopped to consider what is in the air?
Air is actually made up of approximately 10 different gases. 78% of the air is nitrogen and 21% is oxygen. That leaves 1% of other things, including tiny particles like dust and pollen which can cause allergic reactions. It also contains soot, smoke, and exhaust fumes, generally acknowledged as the biggest pollutants on the planet.
There are a host of other contaminants in the air, illustrating why it is so important that you do what you can to improve the air quality in your office.
You should note that improving air quality is been shown to be effective at boosting productivity.
1. Install Air Conditioning
Modern industrial air conditioning units are not just for cooling an office environment, they can also be used to heat the space and make it comfortable in the winter months. It’s potentially the most cost-effective way of maintaining a good working environment.
However, the best units don’t just cool the air. They also filter it, removing contaminants, allergens, and pollutants. That’s why they are so important, they ensure the air entering your building is clean.
2. Open Windows
If you’re not able to install an air conditioning or don’t want to use it because the temperature is acceptable then open the windows. This will encourage the transfer of air, bring clean air in, and allowing the used air to leave. Although there are contaminants in the air, this will help to keep them moving and prevent allergy issues.
3. Plants
You probably know plants are great for the environment. They can also be useful at improving air purity within any inside space. Plants absorb toxins from the air and neutralize them. However, you should note that, as they need watering regularly, they can also attract mold. It’s essential to be aware and vigilant for signs of mold and bacteria.
Choose easy-to-care-for plants such as the spider plant, Dracaena, or Garden Mum. These are also surprisingly efficient at extracting an array of chemicals and pollutants from the atmosphere.
4. Check Furnishings
You may not have considered it before but your office furnishings can be contributed to poor air quality. Insulation pressed wood furniture, and paint can all release pollutants into the air.
Where possible remove old furnishings and ensure that the paint you use is pollutant-free.
5. Clean
It is also essential to create and adhere to a cleaning routine. This means cleaning all the nooks and crannies to ensure that bacteria don’t have a place to grow.
Bacteria and mold can seriously affect the air quality and be difficult to remove, it’s easy to use an anti-bacterial spray to prevent them from growing in the first place.
Of course, you should also clean your filters regularly to ensure the pollutants they trap are not released into the office air. It also makes sure that they work effectively capturing more pollutants.
