The spring season is also allergy season for millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies. But outside isn’t the only place people can be exposed to pollen and pollutants that can trigger hay fever. According to the EPA, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors and many spend most of their working hours in an office environment. Studies show indoor environments can sometimes have a higher level of allergens than can be found outside.
The EPA suggests building management should develop a preventative indoor air quality management program that follows the guidance issued by the EPA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Below we present options for developing this plan, including how to minimize springtime allergens with an air purification system.
Indoor air quality is difficult to diagnose
Solving indoor air quality issues is more difficult than fixing a leaky faucet or disinfecting surfaces. Pollen and other pollutants are microscopic particles that are sometimes odorless and extremely difficult to detect.
That is why integrating an air purification system in your building as a part of your workplace health and safety program is essential. This system will help you manage the amount of allergens that are in your facility by filtering them out of the air. Pair this with additional strategies like increased ventilation, regular HVAC servicing, and routine commercial cleaning, and you can prevent springtime allergens from affecting your employees during business hours.
Maintenance of building ventilation systems
An air purification system will do most of the work to minimize springtime allergens. But you can add to its effectiveness by maintaining and servicing your building ventilation systems. The EPA states a major factor in maintaining good indoor air quality in your building requires paying attention to your building’s HVAC system, ductwork, and air purification system.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends buildings utlizean air purification system and increased ventilation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 indoors.
The proper maintenance of building ventilation systems include:
- Ventilation system design: Building HVAC systems should be designed to deliver enough condensed air to every space occupied by people.
- Outside air quality: Outside air is the source of springtime allergens – but HVAC systems rely on outside air to work. Therefore, it is necessary to properly filter outside air using an air purification system to minimize allergens indoors.
- Equipment maintenance: HVAC equipment, duct work, filtration systems, windows, and doors all require regular maintenance to maintain good indoor air quality. Regular maintenance will also extend the life of your HVAC system and keep energy costs low. Your City Wide Facility Solutions Manager (FSM) can schedule the appropriate services at the right time to make sure your building is serviced correctly and your indoor air quality is maintained year round.
- Commercial cleaning: Often overlooked, another way springtime allergens enter buildings is on the bottoms of people’s shoes. An additional way to minimize springtime allergens is with routine commercial cleaning to keep high traffic areas clean throughout the day. Day porters can be hired to dust surfaces, mop floors, and use a HEPA filter vacuum to minimize springtime allergens in your facility.
Indoor air quality affects productivity
Seasonal allergies can cause employees to be miserable while they are at work, or to miss work altogether. This will lead to a reduction in productivity that will hurt your bottom line.
Investing in an air purification system and the proper maintenance of building ventilation systems to minimize the amount of springtime allergens in your facility will pay off many times over.
To learn more, contact City Wide today and receive a free quote.
