Indoor Air Quality, Part I provides a list of questions to ask to help you determine if poor indoor air quality (IAQ) might be a problem in your workplace. If it is a problem and you’ve seen your doctor, consider the following steps for improving the IAQ of your workplace and for reducing the impact where conditions cannot be altered.

Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality

OSHA states that while it does not have standards in place that employers must follow for IAQ, employers are required to “follow the General Duty Clause of the OSHAct, which requires them to provide workers with a safe workplace that does not have any known hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury.”

Within the General Duty Clause, employers should be aware of any hazards that are detrimental to the health of employees. OSHA further states that “the qualities of good IAQ should include comfortable temperature and humidity, adequate supply of fresh outdoor air, and control of pollutants from inside and outside of the building.”

The Environmental Protection Agency says there are 3 basic strategies for improving IAQ. Included with those three strategies are tips for ways to improve poor IAQ and maintain good IAQ. The sources are provided by a variety of sources including the EPA, the Oregon Environmental Council and the PR Newswire and present a sampling of the ways to properly manage IAQ.

1. Source Control. This involves eliminating individual sources of pollution or reducing their emissions. This can be as simple as storing food and disposing of garbage properly. It can also mean avoiding using items that aren’t necessary and that could be potentially harmful. Source control also involves putting “scraper” mats by doors to eliminate contaminants brought in on people’s shoes as well as mopping floors regularly to clean away contaminants.
2. Ventilation. This means increasing the flow of air from the outside as well as making sure ventilation within a building is not hindered by things such as furniture and equipment. Good IAQ also involves paying attention to a building’s heating, ventilation and HVAC system, such as by cleaning such systems regularly to remove buildup.
3. Air cleaners. Replacing filters regularly is essential for air cleaners in any building to work properly for maintaining good IAQ. HEPA filters can also be used on vacuums to help eliminate allergens. Another tip is keeping dehumidifiers and air conditioners at optimal range for keeping allergens at bay. And sometimes, wearing a particle respirator might be in an employee’s best interest for preventing inhaling of harmful dust, fumes, vapors and gas.

While the above tips provide ideas to consider when looking at a building’s IAQ, keep in mind that every situation is different. Each business should develop an IAQ policy to suit the unique needs of its situation.

Another consideration is to note that even though we’ve become more environmentally conscious, IAQ has not necessarily improved. Dr. Philip Landrigan, the Dean for Global Health at Mount Sinai of Medicine in New York, says this is because “business buildings today are sealed much tighter to keep interior air cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The downside is that this can also lock-in contaminants. The basic lesson for every health-minded person is to keep attuned to the quality of the air you breathe — no matter the season.”