Indoor Air Pollution: The Hidden Danger in Your Workplace

While outdoor pollution is often visible, smelly, and hard to ignore, indoor air quality is much less obvious—despite having a significant impact on our health and well-being. For many employees, a long afternoon in a stuffy office meeting or working in poorly ventilated spaces may be an uncomfortable, headache-inducing experience. But what most people don’t realize is that poor indoor air quality could be causing more harm than they think.

Chris Birch, Head of Sustainability at Hilson Moran, an engineering consultancy based in Manchester, recalls the challenges his office faced in their previous Stretford location. Meetings often left him feeling lethargic and with a headache. With the windows kept shut all year to keep out cold air in winter and pollutants from heavy traffic in summer, the indoor air quality suffered. The carbon dioxide levels would build up, leaving employees tired and struggling to focus.

However, this is not an isolated issue. Offices worldwide often experience the same indoor air quality challenges, and it's much more common than people realize. Despite the widespread use of air conditioning systems, they do little to improve the air unless properly equipped with filtration systems. Without proper air filtration, pollutants from the outside are simply recirculated indoors.

Why Offices Are Becoming Sources of Air Pollution

Dr. Cath Noakes, a researcher in indoor air quality at the University of Leeds, explains that indoor air pollution often goes unnoticed because it’s harder to detect compared to outdoor pollution, which people can see, smell, and taste. But just because we can't always perceive it doesn’t mean it isn’t affecting us. In fact, poor indoor air quality is responsible for numerous health conditions, including respiratory issues, asthma, and even chronic diseases. A recent study by The Lancet revealed that 6.5 million people die prematurely each year due to poor air quality.

One of the most alarming findings comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which reports that indoor air pollution is typically two to five times worse than outdoor pollution—and in extreme cases, up to 100 times worse. The sources of indoor pollution are numerous, including outdoor pollutants that infiltrate buildings, emissions from office equipment, cooking fumes, cleaning products, and offgassing from building materials such as carpets, paints, and furniture.

Indoor air pollution not only harms health but also impacts productivity. A study in The Lancet highlighted that 800,000 people die each year due to workplace air quality issues. Additionally, “sick building syndrome” can contribute to headaches, fatigue, and reduced concentration, further lowering workplace efficiency.

Innovations in Air Purification: Asia Leads the Way

In many highly polluted regions, especially in Asia, engineers and businesses are already taking proactive steps to improve indoor air quality. For example, in cities like Beijing, where smog and air pollution are constant challenges, many businesses are investing in air purification systems. Real estate companies and large employers such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and WPP are installing advanced filtration systems in their office spaces. These systems help remove harmful pollutants and improve employee well-being.

The rise of air purifiers in countries like China has been impressive. According to Euromonitor, the number of air purifiers in China surged from 3.1 million units in 2013 to an estimated 7.5 million by 2018. These technologies are becoming more energy-efficient, quieter, and effective, with nanotechnology being used to enhance performance.

Designing Healthier Workspaces: Solutions for Better Air Quality

While efforts in Asia are more advanced, there is growing awareness of indoor air quality in other parts of the world as well. For instance, in London, businesses along major shopping streets like Oxford Street have started installing air filtration systems after realizing that the nitrogen dioxide levels inside stores were nearly identical to those outside.

Currently, global regulations on indoor air quality are still lacking, although organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the EPA offer guidelines. In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is working on guidelines for residential air quality, and similar standards could eventually be developed for workplaces. However, experts agree that more accountability from building managers and business owners is needed to address these challenges, even if hard regulations are difficult to enforce.

At Hilson Moran’s new office in central Manchester, the company was able to design the space from scratch with an emphasis on improving air quality. By installing air filtration systems that reduce pollutants and carbon dioxide levels, and adding plants that naturally purify the air, they created a healthier and more comfortable workspace. These improvements have paid off. After moving to the new office, Hilson Moran conducted a worker well-being survey that showed significant improvements in satisfaction, compared to their previous office, which had ranked in the bottom 10% for indoor environmental quality.

Source: BBC - The hidden air pollution inside your workplace