Cleaning to Improve Indoor Air Quality

An office, store and/or place of business can suffer poor air quality. This condition negatively impacts the company, the employees and the customers. 

What is indoor air quality (IAQ)?

Indoor air quality is the measure of pollutants inside and around a facility, building and/or structure. IAQ is known to affect the health, comfort and well-being of building occupants. Because most people spend  80% to 93% of their time indoors, indoor air quality is considered one of the top 5 risks to public health. The quality of air in a building can reduce productivity, impair learning, and contribute to the development of chemical sensitivity. Proper cleaning techniques can improve and/or prevent poor air quality.

What factors affect indoor air quality in a commercial building? 

Indoor pollutants and lack of proper ventilation are the main causes of poor indoor air quality. Poor IAQ can be caused by:

• Chemical Cleaning Agents
• Improperly Maintained Janitorial Cleaning Equipment
• Poor Housekeeping Practices
• Improperly or Inadequately Maintained Central Heating And Cooling Systems
• Germs and Viruses
• Tobacco Products
• Building Materials (glues, fibreglass, particleboard, paints, chemicals)
• Mould/Water Damage
• Outdoor Sources (pesticides and radon)
• Furnishings, Furniture and Office Equipment
• Restroom Air Fresheners

What symptoms are linked to poor indoor air quality?

It’s common for employees to report one or more of the following symptoms:

• Dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Hypersensitivity and allergies
• Sinus congestion
• Coughing and sneezing
• Dizziness
• Nausea

What are the signs of poor indoor air quality?

Possible telltale signs of poor air quality are:

• Constant presence of unpleasant, musty odours
• Air feels hot and stuffy
• Employees experience asthma or allergy attacks 
• Employees experience fatigue, headaches or nausea only when at work

How can you improve indoor air quality in your commercial building?

The Canadian Committee on Indoor Air Quality recommends the following six strategies for controlling the quality of indoor air:

• Source Management is the action of identifying, avoiding, isolating or removing a source of air contamination. It’s one of the most important strategies because it addresses the root causes of IAQ issues.
• Local Exhaust involves the removal of pollutants before they can disperse into the indoor air by expelling contaminated air directly outside. Sites, where local exhaust is recommended, include restrooms, food preparation areas, storage rooms and photocopying rooms.
• Ventilation introduces outdoor air into a building to displace or dilute contaminants in the indoor air. Local building codes specify the quantity (and sometimes quality) of outdoor air that must be continuously supplied to an occupied area. Ventilation is most efficient and effective when applied to a well-designed and managed facility.
• Exposure Control includes adjusting the time and location of building occupancy to minimize exposure to intentionally released air contaminants. For example, the best time for stripping and waxing floors may be on weekends, allowing the floor products to off-gas and reducing the level of odours or contaminants in the air when the building is occupied. This strategy may require adjusting ventilation rates which are often reduced during weekends and other unoccupied periods.
• Air Cleaning is the capture of particles from the air. Various types and levels of particle filtration are normally included in ventilation systems. 
• Education of the building occupants about IAQ is critical. Provide workers with information about the sources and effects of contaminants (including those under their control) and the proper operation of the ventilation system so they can take steps to reduce their personal exposure and improve the overall IAQ.

How can your commercial cleaner help with indoor air quality? A reputable, professional commercial cleaner will:

• undertake regular surface cleaning (desks, kitchens, bathrooms, floors, other surfaces) with a carefully selected cleaning product to prevent and/or remediate mould problems and capture dust.
• use a HEPA filter vacuum (high-efficiency particulate air filter) which removes 99.97% of mould spores, dust, bacteria, and other particles 0.3 microns or larger without redepositing them into the air.
• utilize carpet extractors and floor burnishers with HEPA filters to reduce the redistribution of contaminants into the air
• schedule regular air duct, furnace and air conditioner cleaning and periodically replace the filters in your HVAC system. 
• use an automatic floor scrubber to leave floors clean and dry
• offer a non-toxic/green cleaning option 
• provides adequate training to team members regarding techniques that reduce indoor air pollution
• schedule cleaning and maintenance procedures when fewer people are present

Indoor air quality is a  concern, yet many business owners and their employees have little understanding of the issue. To counteract the situation, provide education for all employees. Hire a professional commercial cleaner. They have the knowledge, experience, equipment, supplies and qualified staff to help you improve and maintain your building’s indoor air quality. 

Need help with the air quality at your business? Interested in non-toxic green cleaning protocols? Call Strathcona Cleaners Ltd at 403-237-8355 or email us at info@strathconacleaners.com. Our Calgary-based business provides janitorial services to an array of industries. We custom tailor our cleaning and maintenance plans to suit your specific needs. You can even choose non-toxic products and eco-friendly equipment. Depend on us for quality janitorial, office cleaning and post-construction services. Contact us today!