Getting Clean Air in Your Pacific Northwest Workplace
Workplace air quality has gotten complicated with all the standards, equipment, and conflicting advice flying around. As someone who’s helped Northwest businesses improve their indoor environments, I learned everything there is to know about what actually keeps employees breathing easy. Today, I will share it all with you.
Clean workplace air matters for both health and productivity. Sick employees cost money. Stuffy, polluted offices make people slower and less creative. The investment in air quality pays returns in ways that show up on balance sheets.
Figure Out What’s Actually in Your Air
Start by identifying your pollution sources. Office supplies, building materials, and cleaning products all emit chemicals. Poorly maintained HVAC systems spread dust, mold, and other contaminants. Outdoor pollution seeps in through doors, windows, and ventilation intakes. You can’t fix what you haven’t identified.
Maintain Your HVAC System
Your heating and cooling system moves all the air in your building. Neglect it and you’re just recirculating the same contaminated air. Replace filters regularly. Clean ducts periodically. Ensure ventilation systems actually function. Schedule professional inspections twice a year minimum. Probably should have led with this section, honestly—HVAC maintenance is the foundation of workplace air quality.
Upgrade Your Filters
HEPA filters trap particles down to 0.3 microns. High MERV-rated filters catch more than basic fiberglass options. Check manufacturer recommendations for replacement schedules. Inspect filters for damage. That’s what makes quality filters endearing to us air quality types—they do the heavy lifting of keeping particulates out of lungs.
Monitor Your Air Continuously
Deploy air quality monitors in key locations. Track carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter. Real-time data shows when conditions degrade and identifies problem areas. You can’t manage what you don’t measure.
Ventilate Properly
Fresh air dilutes indoor pollutants. Open windows when outdoor air quality is good. Run exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. Use mechanical ventilation in areas where natural airflow is inadequate. Good ventilation is cheap and effective.
Control Moisture
Keep humidity between 30-50%. Too high breeds mold. Too low dries airways and lets viruses survive longer. Dehumidifiers for damp areas, humidifiers for overly dry spaces. Clean these devices regularly to prevent them from becoming pollution sources themselves.
Switch to Cleaner Cleaning Products
Traditional cleaning products release harmful chemicals into the air you then breathe. Non-toxic alternatives work just as well without the off-gassing. Look for Green Seal or EPA Safer Choice certifications. Train cleaning staff on proper use.
Add Some Plants
Spider plants, Boston ferns, and peace lilies absorb some pollutants and produce oxygen. They also make offices more pleasant. Maintain them properly to prevent mold and pest problems. Plants supplement other measures—they don’t replace them.
Get Employees Involved
Educate staff about pollution sources and what they can do individually. Clean workspaces, proper disposal of materials, awareness of products that off-gas—collective effort beats isolated initiatives.
Schedule Professional Deep Cleaning
Regular professional cleaning reaches areas daily maintenance misses. Carpets, upholstery, behind furniture—dust and allergens accumulate in overlooked spots. Periodic deep cleaning prevents buildup.
Deploy Air Purifiers Strategically
Air purifiers help in high-occupancy areas or spots with poor ventilation. Match purifier capacity to room size. Maintain devices according to manufacturer instructions. Undersized or neglected purifiers just make noise.
Think Green for New Construction
If building or renovating, use low-emission materials. Design for natural ventilation. Consider green roofs and walls. Upfront investment in air quality pays dividends for the life of the building.
Keep Policies Current
Review workplace air quality policies regularly. Address smoking areas, strong-smelling products, personal space heaters. Adapt based on monitoring data. Policies without enforcement are just suggestions.
