The Key Factors affecting your office air quality are numerous. In fact, some of the factors might be subject to change with a few simple adjustments to the equipment you currently use. It is for this reason that a good air quality testing program should be considered by your office managers and/or administrators, especially if your facility has been identified as having high levels of dust and other indoor air pollution. If you are looking for an air quality testing program for your organization or facility, you need to keep these key factors in mind.
The first and foremost Key Indicator in assessing the air quality in your office is the amount of dust in the air. When dust particles are inhaled into the lungs, it penetrates the lungs and becomes trapped in the lung tissue. As time passes, this particle accumulates within the tissues until it becomes an obstacle to the smooth passage of air through the lungs. High levels of dust can lead to serious health problems, especially when the particles become lodged in asthma or allergies.
Many companies conduct Key Indicators assessment programs in various offices across the nation. The results from the Key Indicators assessment program in your office can provide an indicator of how well the office is maintained. However, Key Indicators assessment programs are not meant to replace laboratory testing. The laboratory testing only tells you whether or not a particular contaminant is present in the office environment. Key Indicators in determining the health hazards in your office environment can help you determine what steps to take to reduce the potential risks to your employees and customers.
The air circulation system of the office plays a significant role in removing dust and other indoor air pollutants from the air in your workplace. If you have poor ventilation, you can expect that dust will accumulate within the ventilation system and will spread throughout the office if not removed immediately. Poor ventilation leads to a lack of air flow and makes it difficult for the air to escape from the building.
The ventilation system also helps in removing smoke from the office. Without proper ventilation, the smoke will circulate and settle in different sections of the office. The smoke will also affect the individuals who are working in those sections. Some of these people might cough and wheeze, which will cause breathing difficulties. Inhaling dust particles can also cause irritation and allergic reactions to the lungs.
Key Indicators in determining the health hazards in your workplace will depend on the types of contaminants present in the air. For instance, the presence of dust can be determined by using traditional laboratory testing. On the other hand, there are laboratory tests that can be used to determine the level of asbestos in the air. You can use these test kits to conduct Key Indicators in your office air quality testing.
As mentioned earlier, poor ventilation system will lead to the accumulation of dust particles and mold spores in your workplace. You will need the help of a professional to clean the ventilation system to prevent such problems from developing. It is also important to check the air filter regularly and replace it if it becomes damaged. Also, you should check the air vents for leaks and replace them if they are not working properly.
It is important to conduct Key Indicators in your office air quality testing to determine the extent of contamination in the air. The air quality monitors you use in the testing process will measure the chemical and biological matter in the air. Based on the results, the appropriate action measures should be taken. If there are high levels of contamination in the air, you should consider getting a good quality office air cleaner.