Guide to Enhancing Indoor Air Quality for Better Health

Have you ever felt like your building is making you sick? It may not be in your head. We are all aware of the risks associated with extremely bad indoor air quality (IAQ), such as carbon monoxide poisoning or asbestos exposure. However, even moderately bad IAQ can leave you feeling off. It impacts your work performance and affects your health. 

Learn why indoor IAQ is so important and steps you can take to improve it in your building. 

Health Impacts of Poor Air Quality

Between work, school, and the occasional day spent lounging on the couch, you spend most of your time indoors. Poor indoor air quality doesn’t just make these spaces unappealing; it can also impact your health. 

Individuals who are exposed to mold, allergens, smoke, and other pollutants may develop asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and may even develop cardiovascular disease. 

Exposure to low-level pollutants impacts your cognitive function. You may find yourself feeling foggy or experiencing regular headaches. Some indoor air pollutants can also lead to long-term cognitive decline. 

Studies have shown that lower IAQ makes it easier for viruses and other infectious diseases to be transmitted, meaning you're more likely to get sick in a building with poor air quality. 

IAQ and Workplace Productivity

If you’ve ever caught yourself staring into space or feeling less than productive at work, it may not be because you’re understimulated. Being exposed to low levels of pollutants at your workplace can make it harder to concentrate and reduce your productivity. You may also become fatigued or suffer from headaches, both of which negatively impact your ability to do your job. 

Across the U.S., businesses lose up to $168 billion per year because of poor IAQ. Businesses with moderate to poor IAQ lose money because workers take more sick days and are less productive during their workday when they are present. 

Regulatory and Compliance Standards

Certain laws, such as the Clean Air Act, affect IAQ requirements in residential and commercial buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) itself doesn’t regulate indoor air, but as a commercial property owner, you may be required to follow OSHA regulations and state-level mandates. The State of California, for example, has more than 25 health and safety codes related to indoor air quality. 

Failing to comply with IAQ standards and regulations isn’t just going to cost you money because your employees are less productive. You also risk fines. Violating OSHA regulations can result in fines of up to $16,000 per violation. Violating state-level laws is also costly. In the State of Colorado, a single IAQ violation can result in a daily fine of up to $15,000.

Strategies for Improving IAQ

Maintaining good IAQ can be tricky, particularly if your buildings are older and have outdated HVAC systems. If you’ve monitored your IAQ and alarm bells are ringing, you can implement a number of strategies, including: 

• Improving your natural ventilation. When it’s nice outside, open the window and use fans to create a breeze. 

• Upgrading your ventilation system. When upgrading your HVAC system, consider in-duct air purifiers, HEPA filters, and other technology that cleans the air during ventilation. 

• Scheduling regular system maintenance. At a minimum, change HVAC filters regularly and schedule regular system cleanings. 

• Maintaining regular cleaning schedules. Keeping a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule can reduce pollutants and allergens in your building. 

• Selecting building materials that are eco-friendly and have lower volatile organic compounds. Choosing these building materials benefits both your tenants and the earth. 

• Installing indoor air quality testing devices to monitor IAQ levels. IAQ monitoring devices alert you when you need to activate your ventilation system or make system improvements. 

Sometimes, indoor air quality testing is key for improving IAQ because it allows you to detect potential system failures sooner. You can also identify which pollutants are accumulating and develop strategies to reduce them. For example, if you notice a high concentration of particulate matter in the morning and evening, you might install a revolving door to prevent car pollution from entering your building. 

Monitoring IAQ in Commercial Spaces

IAQ solutions include IoT sensors, air quality meters, and other tools. These sensors collect data on pollutant and particulate levels, temperature, humidity levels, and more. Some of them also integrate with smart HVAC systems, which activate when pollutants reach unsafe levels. 

Since these sensors continually measure IAQ and report to a cloud-based platform, you can monitor IAQ from anywhere. 

This is important because detecting IAQ issues early helps you fix them before they become a problem. Instead of waiting for an entire office building to call in sick, you can see pollutant buildup and figure out what’s causing it. You can test your HVAC system or monitor your building for cracks or leaks. You can also save money on operating costs by fixing issues earlier. 

Benefits of Enhanced IAQ

Committing to office indoor air quality and IAQ in general puts you at a competitive advantage and comes with a number of benefits, including: 

• Creating competitive tenant spaces. You can attract more tenants and potentially charge a premium. 

• Improving health and wellness. Your tenants want to work in a building that keeps employees happy and healthy. Improved employee health equates to fewer absences and employee turnover, which improves your bottom line. 

• Increasing workplace productivity. A building with good IAQ feels better and inspires employees to do their best. 

• Promoting sustainability. When you use clean building supplies and ventilation systems, your building materials aren’t “offgassing” or releasing toxic chemicals into the air and water. 

• Reducing energy consumption. Utilizing smart HVAC systems and IAQ monitors reduces energy usage, which benefits the environment and your pocketbook. 

Attune’s plug-and-play IAQ solutions are easy to set up and manage, putting clean air in the palm of your hand. Stay on top of your IAQ with a customized solution. Learn more by contacting us. 

Indoor Air Quality FAQ

Here are answers to some of the most crucial questions regarding IAQ: 

Why is indoor air quality important?

People spend most of their time indoors. Long-term exposure to pollutants and allergens can damage respiratory health and impact cognitive function. It can also give you headaches and heart disease. 

How can indoor air quality and ventilation pose a health hazard in the workplace?

Working in a building with poor indoor air quality can decrease productivity and make you feel tired and foggy. Long-term exposure can trigger conditions such as allergies and asthma. Poor indoor air also transmits more viruses and bacteria, so you get sick more often. 

What content or quality of indoor air could affect the health of building occupants?

Due to their chemical compositions, air pollutants are considered unsafe at different levels. For example, carbon dioxide concentrations should be less than 1,000 ppm while volatile organic compound levels should be below 1 ppm. Consult your IAQ monitor for other unsafe pollutant levels.