As more people become concerned about pollution in the atmosphere there is a common idea that being indoors will keep you safe from polluted air. The truth is that indoor air actually often has higher concentrations of air pollution that outdoor air. Indoor air is so polluted that it has been blamed for 4.3 million deaths worldwide in 2012, compared to 3.7 million deaths caused by outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution ranks ninth on the list of Global Burden of Disease Risk.
The CDC says that indoor air pollution can cause irritation in people’s eyes, noses and throats, and in some cases can lead to heart and lung issues or even cancer. These negative health consequences have been labelled ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ and are an issue that many building managers have been struggling to fix.
The EPA has blamed the increase on Sick Building Syndrome on an oil embargo in the 1970’s which caused buildings to be built airtight so that energy could be conserved on heating and cooling costs. This led to ventilation standards being reduced to 5 cubic feet per minute per person. Since then, ASHRAE has revised the ventilation standards to be a minimum of 15 cubic feet per minute per person.
How can you get rid of indoor air pollution and fix Sick Building Syndrome in your facility?
-If there is an easy to identify pollution source, it should be removed immediately and the area cleaned to remove any traces of it.
-Carpet and any soft or fabric furniture should be regularly cleaned to remove any build ups of pollutants that embed themselves in the fabric.
-Sunlight and the ability to open windows also helps by providing fresh air and giving more control over the indoor environment. This often isn’t possible in office or industrial environments though.
-The HVAC system should be regularly cleaned and maintained to make sure it is circulating fresh, clean air through the building. Over time pollutants such as dust and mold can accumulate throughout the ventilation system, and if the filters are not replaced regularly these pollutants can be spread through the circulating air.
If you need the ventilation and HVAC system in your building inspected and cleaned to make sure it’s safe for your employees, contact a Hughes Environmental representative to see how we can help.
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Hughes Environmental is a National Air Duct Cleaner’s Association (NADCA) certified company who has earned their prestigious “Outstanding Safety Award” every year that we’ve been in business.
Our technicians are expertly trained on the most up-to-date industry standards for cleaning commercial HVAC systems, and are equipped to clean from the point the air enters the system all the way to where it exits.
