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The importance of IAQ
Did you know that a significant portion of our time is spent indoors? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is estimated that people spend more than 90% of their time inside buildings [1]. Unfortunately, indoor air quality (IAQ) is often overlooked, and the concentration of pollutants can be two to five times higher indoors compared to outdoors [1]. This can have a detrimental impact on our health and well-being. In this article, we will explore the importance of IAQ monitoring and how it can help create a healthy and productive indoor environment.
The impact of poor IAQ on workforce health and productivity
Maintaining a healthy and productive workforce is a constant challenge for many organisations. Poor IAQ in buildings can lead to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms among employees, including headaches, drowsiness, and loss of concentration [1]. If not addressed effectively, these issues can have a significant impact on employee well-being, productivity rates, absenteeism, and retention rates.
Our solution: IAQ Sensor Installation
To tackle these challenges, our solution involves installing IAQ sensors that monitor key factors such as temperature, humidity, CO2, total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), and particulate matter (PM2.5, 10) [1]. By continuously monitoring these parameters, our platform provides real-time data on the current IAQ conditions in your building.
Automated decisions
Our platform shows how the current values may be impacting people's cognitive performance and well-being. This enables you to make more informed decisions about your building and take proactive steps to maintain a healthy indoor environment. For example, if abnormally high levels of CO2 are detected, chances are you are in breach of regulations, and steps can be taken to improve ventilation and ensure optimal cognitive function among employees [1].
Notifications
Using real-time data and a mobile app, alerts notify you when IAQ factors deviate from their optimal zone. This ensures that immediate actions can be taken to address any potential issues and maintain a healthy indoor environment at all times [1].
Communicating Air Quality Information to Employees:
While ensuring a safe level of air quality is a priority, another challenge lies in knowing how much information to share with employees and what actions they should take based on that information.
Our recommendations
To address this, we offer a solution to communicate indoor air quality parameters with employees, teachers, and students. By displaying information such as CO2 levels or comfort levels, people can make informed decisions about where to work and improve their overall experience.
Empowering people through information
By providing employees with access to IAQ data, you empower them to take an active role in creating a healthy and comfortable working environment. This transparency fosters a sense of trust and collaboration within the organisation, as employees can see that their well-being is a top priority [1].
Monitoring air quality to optimise building performance
Many organisations face complaints about rooms being too hot or too cold, despite their building management systems indicating that everything is functioning correctly.
Augmenting existing systems
Using our IAQ sensors and platform, we can help you uncover hot or cold spots where the actual room temperature differs from the expected temperature or what the building management system sensors are reporting [1]. This insight can highlight underlying problems such as insufficient ventilation or inaccuracies in temperature control systems.
Improved energy efficiency and comfort
By identifying and addressing these inefficiencies, you can improve energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and enhance occupant comfort. This benefits not only your employees but also supports your organisation's sustainability goals by conserving energy.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy and productive indoor environment is crucial for any organisation. By prioritising IAQ monitoring and taking proactive steps to address any issues, you can create a workplace that promotes employee well-being, productivity, and overall satisfaction. Our IAQ sensor installation, smart alerts, and communication solutions empower you to make informed decisions, improve transparency, and optimize your building management systems. Invest in IAQ monitoring today to create a healthier and more productive workspace for your employees.
[1] World Health Organisation. (n.d.). Indoor Air Pollution and Health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/indoor-air-pollution#tab=tab_1
