Have you ever wondered about the air quality in the office where you work? If you think about it, it’s probably not great. Hot computers attract dust, there’s a lot of people sharing the space and dirt and dust can build up very quickly where there is a lot of coming and going. If you’ve ever heard of sick office syndrome, you might wonder if these things are connected. Workers can experience breathing problems, headaches and nausea, only to feel better when they are out of the office. Could it be poor air quality?
If you want to take steps to improving the air quality in your office, here are some ideas you can try to implement:
- Vents – If you have air conditioning vents or even fresh air vents, are these clear from obstructions? If any boxes or office equipment are stacked up and covering vents, then these will be stopping the clean air from circulating around the room. As a first step, try to identify any objects that might be causing an obstruction to fresh air getting inside.
- Air Ducts – These have filters that might need replacing. Do you know when the last time was that the filters were replaced? Over time, these become dusty and clogged with debris which greatly affects their performance. Dust builds up in the ducts behind the filters and this can cause allergies and respiratory problems in staff if not replaced every 6-12 months.
- Humidity – When an office becomes too humid, with lots of people breathing and not enough air circulation, it can encourage the growth of mould and dust mites, for example. Air conditioning units and dehumidifiers can help to improve this problem.
- Plants – Adding natural elements like office plants can significantly improve air quality. They are simply amazing – absorbing toxins, releasing oxygen and helping to give the office a more pleasing and attractive ambience.
- Keeping Clean – Regular cleaning and maintenance goes a long way towards ensuring there is no build up of germs, dust and debris that could be making the air worse. A regular clean should include dusting, vacuuming, sanitising, disposing of waste and wiping down surfaces. For more information on the benefits of Office Cleaning Cheltenham, visit a site like https://intocleaning.co.uk/services/office-cleaning-gloucestershire/office-cleaning-cheltenham/
- Get Tested – There are businesses who specialise in testing air quality and they can come in and evaluate the atmosphere in your workplace. They will have the correct tools to measure the quality and make suggestions about how to improve it if there are issues that they flag up.
- Let Fresh Air In – When the weather allows it, open up any windows and doors that you can to allow the breeze to flow through the office. Obviously this won’t always be possible but as soon as the sun shines, grab every opportunity to let some fresh air inside.
- Clean Up Spills – Don’t leave spills undealt with as this can encourage mould and bacteria to grow which can release spores into the atmosphere.