Commercial
How your office can make you sick!
Sick Building Syndrome is a Real Problem. In commercial environments, the air delivery system is frequently cited as a major contributor. When grouped together in a poorly ventilated area, office machines, furnishings and even the seemingly innocent supplies in your desk drawer can emit a combination of pollutants strong enough to make your head ache, eyes water and throat itch. Here are some prime office offenders and their possible effects:
- Copying machines and electrical equipment
- Cleaning supplies such as floor wax, carpet deodorizers and air fresheners
- Cigarette smoke, new carpeting & furnishings, insulation and window coverings
- Poorly maintained heating and cooling systems
- Microbes such as mold and fungi
Prolonged exposure to dirty air can needlessly plague workers with skin irritations, respiratory problems and other chronic ailments. Radon or asbestos entering through cracked foundations or broken ceiling tiles can lead to cancer and other life threatening diseases. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, occupants in buildings where the ducts have never been cleaned are 60% more likely to develop respiratory ailments.
Clean ducts can help improve air delivery systems and ensure an adequate supply of clean, fresh air. Furnishings, carpets and fabrics stay clean longer. Even the energy efficiency and service life of HVAC equipment can improve. And with healthier air, employees often experience fewer symptoms of illness and respiratory problems -- increasing performance while decreasing absenteeism.
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