Work from home advice has been canceled and many of us are now back to office. However, the necessary measures must be taken at the office. For example, ensuring sufficient fresh air is one of the new basic rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But did you know that the benefits of ventilation extend far beyond that? Swedish air cleaning expert Blueair explains why.
The more time we spend indoors with other people, the more likely we are to breathe in each other's exhaled air (and germs). Good ventilation can prevent these tiny, contaminated droplets from floating in the air. After all, now that we go back to the office and have more contact moments, we are also more susceptible to other viruses. It is not without reason that there is a fear of a severe flu wave this autumn. Due to the supply of clean air, not only does corona have less chance to spread, but you are also less likely to catch a cold or flu.
The air quality in the office can therefore influence the health of employees. This was also clear before corona. A well-known Harvard study2 of more than 3,000 workers showed a 53 percent increase in absenteeism among workers in poorly ventilated areas. In addition, recent research from Harvard3 shows that the air quality in an office has a significant impact on employees' cognitive functions, such as reaction time and the ability to concentrate. The researchers also conclude that deteriorating air quality has a negative effect on the productivity of employees.
So we can go back to the office, but our children are also allowed to go back to school. Good ventilation is also very important here. In the short term, polluted air particles cause allergies and asthmatic reactions, fatigue, dizziness, headaches and concentration problems. European research4 shows that in the long term this can even lead to chronic diseases. Children are often extra sensitive to this, because their lungs and brains are still developing.
However, the air quality in classrooms is bad in most schools, according to research by Blueair5 in collaboration with several scientists. Sara Alsén (Chief Purpose Officer at Blueair):“In all classrooms, the concentration of particulate matter was above the WHO red level, which is considered hazardous to health with long-term exposure and for which measures to control air pollution are recommended.” The study also showed that the consequences of poor air quality in learning environments are underestimated by both teachers and parents.
Simply opening a window to let things air out can improve air quality, but that's where we stand now that it's getting colder. In addition, this also does not help if you are in an area where the outdoor air is of poor quality, which is unfortunately the case in many cities. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO)6 identified air pollution as one of the greatest environmental threats to human health. The air quality in the Netherlands also does not meet the guidelines in many places. By opening a window, you therefore also bring in the harmful substances.
Fortunately, many new office buildings today are equipped with mechanical ventilation systems that ensure the supply of clean air. Is this not the case at your office? Then a portable air purifier can offer a solution. Air purifiers with a HEPA filter can do a surprisingly good job of removing polluted air particles, but only if the right device is used for the size of the room.
