IAQ Standards More Important Than Ever

We might think we are safer inside than out when it comes to breathing dirty air but the fact is, that indoor air is oftentimes much more polluted than the air outdoors. The risk of airborne virus transmission is also greater and the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for higher IAQ standards. Of course, the seasonal flu and Sick Building Syndrome also present a perennial challenge to the health of workers in buildings.

Business owners are not powerless when it comes to improving the air inside their buildings, however. Facilities managers and building engineers for retail spaces, schools and universities, offices, and healthcare centers need to take steps to improve ventilation, update and maintain HVAC systems, and keep occupants healthy. As the country begins to open up again, we must do it safely. Failure to do so impacts the health of both employees and the business itself.

Higher IAQ Standards to Prevent Virus Transmission

Most respiratory diseases transmit in one of three ways. Some transfer through direct contact with the virus. This is when you touch a doorknob, table, handrail, or other hard surface, then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. They can also transfer by tiny droplets from one person to another when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Lastly, some aerosol droplets containing a virus stays suspended in the air for hours where it is breathed in by building occupants. One study of flu transmission revealed the presence of these droplets in the cough and exhalation discharge of a little more than half of the flu patients. These particles are much more concentrated indoors and can travel as far as 30 feet from the source. Setting higher IAQ standards are key to limiting outbreaks.

Sick Building Syndrome

COVID-19 has dominated the news over the past year and a half and with good reason. Similar to the seasonal flu bug, the coronavirus and its variants are likely here to stay. That said, another illness affecting the health of office workers is a condition known as Sick Building Syndrome and it affects office workers throughout the world. When HVAC systems fail to move fresh air through the indoor environment, the risk of SBS increases. 

Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome include:

• Itchy, watery eyes
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Stuffy, runny nose
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dry throat
• Skin irritation

Air-conditioned buildings run a higher risk for occupants to suffer from SBS. Therefore, filtration and ventilation are only as good as your HVAC system is clean. Regular cleaning, inspection, and maintenance of HVAC units keep everyone safe. Testing and monitoring of indoor environmental conditions also safeguard workers. Sick workers have lower morale and miss more days of work which affects the bottom line and could also raise liability issues if the problem is not addressed.

Pure Air Control’s Solutions to Raise IAQ Standards

Improving indoor air quality goes a long way towards improving the health of workers. Below are a few of the challenges to IAQ in the workplace as well as our solutions.

IAQ Challenge

Preventing virus outbreaks (influenza, COVID-19, Legionnaire’s disease, etc.)

Pure Air Control’s Solution

Non-disruptive bio-surveillance within facilities to to monitor indoor air quality. Detection and mitigation give buildings clearance after a risk assessment. It also gives assurance to building occupants that higher IAQ standards are in effect.

IAQ Challenge

Preventing Sick Building Syndrome

Pure Air Control’s Solution

IAQ Guard monitors indoor conditions and tracks temperature, humidity, VOCs, CO2, and other gases. Any change to normal levels triggers a response from the remote Building Science team so issues get corrected fast.

IAQ Challenge

Outdated or dirty HVAC systems

Pure Air Control’s Solution

A host of services including HVAC New Life, PURE Steam, PURE-Duct, and PURE-Decon clean and restore HVAC equipment including AHU, evaporator coils, and all corresponding ductwork.

Set Higher IAQ Standards Today

Pure Air Control Services helps businesses improve IAQ to keep building occupants healthy, boost morale and productivity, and reduce energy costs. Contact us today. Call 1-800-422-7873 or email us here.