As winter approaches and temperatures drop, we naturally close our doors and windows to keep the warmth inside. But in commercial workspaces, sealing our buildings from the cold can cause indoor air quality to deteriorate, leading to a build-up of dust, allergens and pollutants which can negatively impact workplace wellness over the winter months.
With inadequate ventilation, contaminants can accumulate, impacting both health and productivity. The problem is even greater considering how much time we spend indoors, with 87% of our time calculated to be indoors, making indoor air quality vitally important.
November 8th marks World Ventilation Day – a timely reminder of the importance of fresh, clean, indoor air, especially in the colder months. Let’s explore how winter affects indoor air quality and provide practical tips to help ensure your workplace stays healthy and well-ventilated throughout the season.
Why winter impacts indoor air quality
During the colder months, people tend to spend more time indoors, with windows and doors closed. While this can help to reduce heat loss and maintain a consistent temperature through HVAC systems, it can also contribute to poor air quality. This is due to trapped allergens, dust, and moisture, as air circulation is diminished when fresh outdoor air isn’t introduced and recycling the same indoor air can exacerbate these issues.
What impact can poor air quality have on employee health?
Improving indoor air quality in winter is essential as these trapped pollutants, allergens, and excess moisture, can negatively impact employees’ health and productivity. This is because as well as being linked to common diseases such as asthma, cancer and heart disease, ‘dirty air’ can also promote absenteeism and sick building syndrome as poor ventilation or poorly maintained air conditioning systems may fail to remove dust, smoke, fumes or fabric fibres from the air.
Dealing with indoor air pollution is not just about comfort, it’s part of maintaining a healthy work environment for employees. Under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) and the Occupiers Liability Act, employers have a duty of care to provide a safe and healthy environment. This includes maintaining indoor air quality standards. As part of this regulation, the code of practice states that indoor air quality should equal or better air outside the workplace.
But how do you know if the air quality in your premises is up to standard? HSWA and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require employers to ensure that the air quality in the workplace is safe and healthy. The 1992 Regulations state that employers must ‘Ensure that enclosed workplaces are ventilated with enough fresh or purified air’. To ensure indoor air quality standards are being met an indoor air quality assessment should be undertaken by an accredited, independent company to examine indoor and outdoor air quality, ventilation rates and for the presence of specific gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
How to improve indoor air quality in winter
Fortunately, internal air quality can be improved, even in winter when keeping the cold out and energy costs down is a priority. Here are some ways to clear ‘dirty air’ from commercial and industrial buildings:
1. Increase Ventilation
One way to improve indoor air quality is by increasing the circulation of fresh air which can be achieved by simply opening windows from time to time or implementing mechanical ventilation systems which create a constant flow of air from outside when opening a window isn’t possible. Indicators of poor ventilation include condensation on windows or walls, musty air, mould growth or dirty heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Pay close attention to areas that require better airflow. Without adequate ventilation, harmful fumes from activities like painting, cooking, or welding can spread throughout a building, leading to increased indoor pollutants.
2. Ventilation Testing
A Preferred Vacuum Testing (PVT) assesses your ventilation system’s cleanliness by measuring dust and debris levels, with samples sent to an independent lab for analysis. Results may indicate only partial cleaning is needed, and help you to monitor air quality and identify areas requiring attention.
3. Keep the property clean and check ducts:
Maintain cleanliness throughout the building, to help minimise indoor air pollutants. Regular dusting, preferably while wearing an air-filtering mask and frequent vacuuming can help reduce mould, pollen, and dust mites. Use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter to prevent dust from being recirculated. Additionally, inspect air ducts regularly for dirt build-up and have air ducts cleaned and sealed to prevent pollutants from being trapped and circulated through your system.
4. Use Air Purifiers
Air purifiers help to remove pollutants from indoor air. breathe. By capturing allergens, dust, and other particles, air purifiers contribute to a healthier indoor environment. Rentokil Specialist Hygiene’s range of VIRUSKILLER™ air purifiers use a combination of filters with a UV-C reactor chamber to deliver clean air and kill 99.9999% of airborne viruses and bacteria, including Coronavirus, on a single pass*, whilst also being effective across a range of particles including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous gases and mould.
5. Control humidity:
Keep indoor humidity levels between 30%-50% to prevent mould growth and respiratory issues. The extreme dryness of winter air can significantly impact comfort levels indoors. Fan-powered humidifiers which inject moisture directly into heating ducts can help increase the air’s humidity, making breathing easier for occupants by alleviating dry throats and nasal passages.
How to ensure indoor air quality this winter in your workplace
The best way to ensure your workplace is properly ventilated and meets UK air quality standards is through indoor air quality monitoring and deep cleaning. Offered by Rentokil Specialist Hygiene, air handling system monitoring and deep cleaning remove any dirt or dust which can cause harmful bacteria to be spread through air management systems, keeping your workplace clean and healthy.
Poor ventilation and accumulated pollutants can not only harm employee health but also reduce workplace productivity. Implementing practices such as increasing airflow, using air purifiers, managing humidity, and keeping spaces clean can significantly improve indoor air quality. So, it is crucial to remain mindful of the impact on indoor air quality, and conduct regular air quality assessments and maintenance to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
*When independently tested against Coronavirus DF2 (a surrogate for Coronavirus), Adenovirus, Influenza and Polio, the unit was found to kill 99.9999% of viruses on a single air pass.