Search

Find out how clean air can work for you

Leave your details below and one of our experts will call you back.

Three logisticians discussing while an industrial air cleaning system is sucking in the dust particles from the air within the warehouse

The importance of workplace air quality

How bad is indoor air compared to outdoor air? Find out more.

Pollution in industrial workplaces

We spend a significant part of our lives at work, so breathing clean air in our factories and warehouses is important for our health − just like having fresh air outdoors. And now that global pandemics could become an increasing problem, it’s even more important to think about the quality of the air we breathe.

But did you know that air quality in industrial surroundings is typically no better than outside? In fact the alarming truth is that often it might be worse.

According to the ➦ US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air pollution at work can be two to five times greater than in the open air. In some extreme cases it can be up to 100 times worse. One reason for this is that wherever goods are produced, processed or stored, there is dust pollution in the air.

Good air quality at work is important for employee health and for your business.

Let's tackle indoor air pollution together!

Common indoor air pollutants

Particulate matter or dust

Particulate matter (PM) consists of tiny airborne particles, or dust, of different sizes, and can be made up of a wide range of materials.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Typically found where there are high concentrations of traffic pollution, it can be blown indoors and become trapped.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCS)

Chemicals that can be found in cleaning products, paints, varnishes and glues. VOCs have been linked to nausea, fatigue, headaches and cancer.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

Sources include the burning of fossil fuels, smelting and the conversion of wood pulp to paper.

Mould spores

Found in poorly ventilated spaces where there is a lot of damp in the air.

Formaldehyde

One of the most common VOCs and very carcinogenic. Found in adhesives in wood products such as MDF, carpets, furniture, paints and varnishes.

MORE POLLUTANTS +

Indoor air quality regulations − the lowdown

There are legal limits to air pollution in the workplace, but they are nowhere near as strict as those for outdoor air. The more that scientists learn about the dangers of indoor air pollution, the more the regulations seem out of date − and could even result in unnecessary risks to workers’ health. In fact the ➥ World Health Organization (WHO) says we should have better laws controlling the air we breathe at work.

Industrial air cleaner flying with a balloon over a clean mountain landscape

How to improve air quality in the workplace

There are ways to maintain clean air in your workplace, to keep your employees and business safe – like installing air purification equipment from Zehnder Clean Air Solutions. Our systems are just the breath of clean air you’re looking for.

Find out more