Workplace air quality for winter wellbeing

WE HAVE become increasingly aware of issues surrounding outdoor air quality in the UK, with the introduction of clean air zones in the worst affected urban areas over the last 15 years bringing the topic to the fore. The targeted action by the government to improve air quality and protect public health by cutting down high levels of harmful greenhouse gases like carbon and nitrogen dioxide emissions, which could potentially lead to long-term health risks among inhabitants, commuters, and city-centre workers, has resulted in clean air zones in seven major cities, with more currently under review. But with well over 40 towns and cities in the UK exceeding the air pollution limits set by the World Health Organisation, it seems that the problem isn’t going away any time soon.

While we may have become generally more savvy about outdoor air quality, with many people taking steps to do their bit to protect the environment, from cutting down on non-essential journeys by hybrid working to co-worker lift share schemes, businesses need to be equally aware of the significance of indoor air quality and its impact on the health and wellbeing of their workforce. 

Given that the average Brit spends 90% of their time indoors and considering that most UK workers spend around at least a third of every day at work, often near co-workers, workplace air quality should be at the forefront of every employer’s agenda, particularly in the winter months when levels of flu, covid variants and other respiratory illnesses, and therefore worker absenteeism, rise exponentially. Offices, factories, retail outlets and hospitality venues can all be a hotbed for germs and bacteria, with potentially hundreds of people coming into contact with the same surfaces and breathing the same stagnant air every day.

And the spread of germs isn’t the only issue. Poor workplace air quality, including high levels of CO2, can also directly impact health in a myriad of ways from headaches to fatigue, eye and throat irritation, sinus congestion, dizziness, nausea and even decreased lung capacity and function. It can also play a negative role in cognitive performance, with lack of concentration and the inability to focus potentially having an adverse effect on employee productivity.

With a whopping 94% of respondents in the 2023 Healthy Buildings survey by Honeywell agreeing that workplace air quality has a direct impact on their health and wellness, and nearly a quarter of UK office workers stating that they are extremely concerned about poor air quality at work, it’s abundantly clear that employers have a duty to take these emerging concerns into consideration and take steps to instil confidence in their workforce regarding the safety of their working environment. 80% of workers polled in the survey stated that their expectations in this area have increased since the pandemic. 

England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, recently stressed in his annual report that, although outdoor air pollution has significantly reduced since the 1980s, tackling indoor air pollution should now also be a priority, with levels of indoor air pollutants being regularly monitored in offices and public buildings and calling for a ‘roadmap to cleaner indoor air’.

So, what can be done to combat poor workplace air quality?

WHO recommends opening windows for natural ventilation, creating a flow of fresh air within the workplace and thus reducing the potential for airborne transmission of pollutants and viruses. This can often be impractical however due to weather, air temperature and noise considerations, and is also heavily dependent on the outdoor air quality.

Indoor air quality sensors can be installed to give real-time insight into air quality issues within the workplace, continually monitoring pollutants in the environment such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, humidity, and radon.

Consistently robust cleaning is a must to ensure that the workplace is kept clean and germ free, particularly in areas used by multiple people on a daily basis. Studies have shown that chemical cleaning products can contribute to indoor air pollution, so switching to greener cleaners made from natural enzymes rather than toxic or allergenic ingredients and with reduced bleach content can have health as well as ecological benefits in the workplace.

Portable air cleaners with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration have been suggested as a solution for indoor air quality. Where this technology can significantly increase the clean air supply, all the air in the room must pass through the filter for it to be purified; some viruses are so small they flow straight through the filters and escape back into the air. 

An alternative and more effective solution would be an air sanitisation system like the SteraSpace from Airdri, which effectively removes viruses, bacteria, mould, fungi and odours by combining three technologies to emit a stream of disinfecting plasma into the air. SteraSpace has been tested at Porton Down and is proven to kill 98.11% of airborne and 99.6% of surface micro-organisms and by the Health Protection Agency where the efficacy results showed that within five minutes, 96-98% of airborne viruses were eliminated. When used in an office environment and independently tested, the units were found to reduce bacteria and pathogens by 78% after only two weeks in operation.

How does SteraSpace work? 

The units combine Photo Catalytic Oxidation (PCO), Germicidal Irradiation and Dual Waveband UV technology to create the most advanced virus and bacteria control technology of its kind. This offers a unique and highly effective way to eliminate bacteria, mould, fungi, viruses, dust mites, allergens, and harmful VOCs to result in clean, healthy air and surfaces. 

 

The combination of Photo Catalytic Oxidation (PCO), Germicidal Irradiation and Dual Waveband UV technologies produce a plasma of Targeted ozone, Superoxide Ions and Hydroxyl Radicals that effectively eliminate bacteria, viruses, mould fungi and odours. 

By combining these three advanced technologies a continuous flow of disinfecting plasma is released into the air which eliminates 98.11% of airborne and 99.6% of surface micro-organisms, working in under 60 minutes. Able to service areas up to 80m2, the SteraSpace range is suitable for all workplace environments, from washrooms to offices, medical practices, schools, warehouses, factories, and care homes.  Depending on the size of the room, the cost of purchasing an air sanitisation unit starts at around £250. The units cost in the region of just £2 per month to run, after the initial installation cost, with an annual outlay of around £50 for a new bulb. 

Benefits of this technology:

• Effectively removes viruses, bacteria, mould, fungi & odours 
• Creates a hostile environment to prevent growth of mould and fungi
• Cleans deep into fabrics, prolongs life of carpets and soft furnishings 
• Eliminates need for masking agents 
• Can help to reduce staff absenteeism and agency costs 
• Improves environment for workforce, visitors, and clients. 

We’re extremely proud of both the effectiveness of the product, but also how the technology can be used in alternative ways for niche or more demanding spaces.  An added benefit is the elimination of unpleasant odours from shared spaces like kitchens, changing rooms and waste disposal areas.

The SteraSpace range of products provide 24/7/365 protection in any indoor area including eating areas, toilets, sluice rooms, communal and reception areas. The technology is safe and effective and is currently used by NHS, Ambulance services, schools, doctors, dentists, hairdressers, restaurants, hotels, and many others. 

Unlike other routes to infection control, such as chemical fogging, SteraSpace can be used continuously in the background creating cleaner, fresher air throughout the day. Once installed it is extremely affordable with very low energy consumption. It really is one of the best ways that businesses can ensure the safety and assurance of their workforce.

In conclusion, businesses need to consider employee health and wellness as a priority and improving indoor air quality constitutes a significant step towards transforming wellbeing in the workplace, creating a safe and productive working environment by offering high quality indoor air.

Steve Whittall is chief operating officer at Airdri

For more information visit www.airdri.com