Fresh air is synonymous with feelings of freedom, refreshment, invigoration, and relaxation.  There are many expressions in the English language that allude to this fact.  We might talk of “needing to take a breath,” or we might describe a situation as a “breath of fresh air.”  As humans, we identify with the outdoors and open spaces as places that give us energy.  When it comes to air quality in your office space, it should come as no surprise that fresh air contributes to an energized, alert, and healthy workplace.  Indeed, happy and productive employees are more likely in an environment that is clean and has contaminant-free air.

That being said, maintaining air quality in an office, commercial, or industrial facility can be more challenging than you’d expect.  An effective ventilation system is important for climate control but also helps to keep air circulating while filtering contaminants thereby creating an environment with better air quality.

There are many contaminants that can degrade the air quality in your workplace.  Dust, allergens, bacteria, and odours are among the most common contaminants that can have a significant impact on worker productivity and efficiency.

• Dust contributes to coughing, sneezing, sore throats, and itchy eyes; and as the day progresses, these symptoms can become almost debilitating for some staff members.
• Likewise, allergens transported by staff with pets (via animal dander), pollen from plants or flowers in the office, and even mold can trigger allergic reactions in employees. Sometimes, these reactions pose serious health risks.
• Bacteria are a natural factor in any environment, but some airborne bacteria and other microbes cause serious illness. In fact, bacterial infections account for a significant proportion of sick time for staff fighting infections.
• Finally, odours can not only be a source of conflict in the office – nobody wants to smell your microwaved fish! But, they also may trigger allergic reactions, cause headaches, and generally distract people from the work at hand.

As you can see, it is incredibly important to maintain good air quality in your office space in order to ensure that work is completed effectively, efficiently, and happily.  Still, sometimes a good ventilation system is not enough to address air quality issues.  In fact, that ventilation system itself needs regular maintenance and upkeep.  You’ll want to ensure that your ventilation system and all air ducts and associated components are cleaned at least annually by a qualified professional.

You really can never take air quality too seriously.  Whether you want to ensure an environment that is free of contaminants, or you just want to create the most comfortable working environment possible, air quality should not be overlooked.  Even if you’ve never had your ventilation system cleaned, fear not!  It’s never too late to restore the air quality in your office.