As temperatures soar during the summer the use of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems naturally increases. While these systems often make the temperature of shared spaces more comfortable by cooling, irregular maintenance and older models can mean that pollutants and dust are often trapped in filters, potentially leading to poor quality air being circulated. With 90% of companies planning to implement return-to-office policies by the end of 2024, users of these spaces may face challenges from a potential increase in airborne pollutants.
Temperatures Rising
Traditionally, pollen season spans from March to August, but allergy sufferers are experiencing symptoms for longer than typically expected. In fact, a 2021 study reported a lengthening of the pollen season by 20 days and a 21% increase in pollen concentrations between 1990 and 2018.
This is largely due to climate change causing certain plant species to grow outside of usual timings. In addition, in the hot weather, windows may be left open more frequently. This allows pollen particles and other outdoor pollutants, including NO2 if you are near a busy road, to become trapped indoors and circulate inside.
Regularly replacing air filters in purifiers and fans and HVAC systems, especially during pollen season, is crucial to capture pollen particles that are trapped and recirculated indoors. This need for regular maintenance is often overlooked and can contribute to poorer indoor air quality. Businesses should therefore consider the implementation of modern air purifiers that meet HEPA H13 standards which, as the highest class of filter, offer highly efficient performance and filters 99.95% of small particles, targeting those as small as 0.1-micron.
The Indoor Air Quality Problem
Indoor air quality is a universal concern that impacts all, and in particular users of share spaces. In fact, Dyson’s Air Purity Pulse Check discovered that air quality in the workplace is important to 90% of the UK public. Shared workspaces can harbour airborne pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), pollen and formaldehyde. These micro pollutants are emitted from numerous sources including fuels, flooring, cleaning products, and even soft furnishings, and are impossible to see but can have an impact on our health, wellbeing and productivity.
Short-term exposure to poor indoor air quality can potentially lead to heightened fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and an overall sense of discomfort. Those who suffer from pollen allergies and with respiratory conditions such as asthma may notice an exacerbation of symptoms, including coughing and shortness of breath. Additionally, poor indoor air quality can contribute to the spread of viruses and respiratory infections.
Studies indicate that 61% of urban offices reported levels of air pollution above the WHO guidelines for safe indoor air quality. This data underscores the critical importance of proactively embracing available solutions for air purification in buildings. When managers are making decisions on suitable technology for their spaces, it is essential to consider various features and technologies that are catered to large, shared spaces which have distinct requirements compared to home environments.
The Purification Solution
Heat and poor air quality paired together can potentially make users uncomfortable. It is important to seek to create a cleaner, more comfortable environment for staff in the summer months and beyond, by keeping offices cool, with purified air.
Air purifiers in a shared space can be an easy and convenient way to ensure that harmful airborne pollutants are successfully removed. However, many purifiers do not generally have the capability to cover wider parts of a room, meaning the majority of the space remains unpurified.
This is why it is important to consider implementing a purifier that is designed and engineered specifically to purify large spaces, such as Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde, which is a must for workers’ wellbeing. Modern air purifiers can evenly remove 99.95% of pollutants as small as 0.1 microns in spaces up to 100m², ensuring all who use a space are breathing cleaner air, while also feeling cool in the Summer.
Prioritising Purified Air
This should not just be seen as a seasonal measure but rather as a year-round necessity. Indoor air quality also influences employee attitudes to their workplace, with two thirds (66%) of the UK public saying they would be uncomfortable working somewhere with poor air quality. And with people spending up to 90% of their time indoors, it is crucial to prioritise the implementation of modern air purification technologies which create healthier indoor environments, address wellbeing risks, and looks to enhance productivity, aligning with the evolving priorities of occupants.
Additionally, occupants are demanding more from their surroundings, be it offices, schools, or restaurants. For example, 55% of workers want their workplace to provide a wider range of amenities than their home environment, such as air purifiers.
By exploring a range of air purification technologies, it is possible to address risks associated with poor indoor air quality, ensuring that occupants thrive in an environment conducive to both health and productivity. This collaborative effort between building owners and facilities managers holds the potential to create a working environment that prioritises the health and wellbeing of all – helping to beat the heat, whilst breathing purified air.