Prioritizing air quality is a smart investment for businesses.
By creating a healthier and more comfortable workspace, they can improve employee immunity, increase productivity, and protect them from chronic diseases related to environmental health.
What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the levels and types of pollutants present in indoor environments, such as homes, offices, and schools, that can affect human health. These pollutants include a wide variety of chemicals and biological agents in gaseous, liquid, or solid forms.
Common indoor pollutants include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and even radiological hazards like radon. Because people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, the air inside buildings often has the greatest impact on their overall exposure to harmful substances.
Why is Indoor Air Quality Important? It Kills the Immune System.
IAQ is crucial because poor air quality can lead to a range of health problems. Exposure to indoor pollutants has been linked to respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. VOCs, for example, can cause anything from eye irritation to more serious diseases like cancer.
Pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter can damage the heart, lungs, and other organs, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and wheezing.
Vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children are particularly susceptible to poor IAQ due to factors like reduced mobility and smaller airways, respectively. The health effects of indoor air pollutants can be felt shortly after exposure, or even years later!
Beyond health risks, poor IAQ can also reduce productivity, increase absenteeism, and lead to significant economic costs due to medical expenses and reduced workspace efficiency.
In Europe, health costs related to air quality amount to 166 billion euros per year. It’s no wonder that environmental health (and air quality is a big part of it) is now integrated into our National Health Plan in Luxembourg.
What Can You Do to Improve IAQ?
Improving indoor air quality is possible through several strategies.
Regular ventilation by opening windows and using air purifiers can reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants.
It is also important to limit the use of products that emit VOCs, such as certain cleaning products, paints, and personal care items. Choosing furniture and building materials free of harmful chemicals like flame retardants and stain repellents can further reduce exposure to toxic substances.
Regular maintenance of ventilation systems and sealing buildings to prevent radon infiltration can also significantly improve IAQ.
Finally, staying informed about harmful indoor pollutants and opting for safer alternatives when available can make a significant difference in the quality of the air we breathe indoors.
@CAMPUS CONTERN this means:
- We are a pilot for a unique and innovative natural air purification system that cleans the system and ensures excellent air quality with 50% fewer VOCs, PM 2.5 and 1.0, odors, and dust. We use the micro-biodiversity of our forest to eliminate harmful particles and chemical residues to protect and strengthen people’s immunity: like a walk in the forest. What was once harmful and a productivity killer transforms into healthy natural protection and a productivity booster. (For more details on how it works, contact our supplier moien@indoorforest.lu )
- We use chemical-free cleaning products for all our common areas and coworking spaces to prevent allergies and further reduce exposure to pollutants
- We pay special attention to the composition of what we purchase (furniture, carpets…) to limit the spread of VOCs in the air
- We have operable windows for manual ventilation when needed
Our Goal:
– Ensure our tenants benefit from a healthy and safe work environment. They spend a lot of time in our buildings, and it is our responsibility to do our best to reduce the causes of fatigue and absenteeism and to promote concentration and performance.
– Protect our tenants from chronic diseases and play our part in the National Health Plan
Source: “The 9 foundations of a healthy building” Harvard School of Public Health – forhealth.org