Published on Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008
Central air conditioning, wall-to-wall carpets, state-of-the-art interiors, computers and other hi-tech gizmos! Such fully sealed and stylish working environments surely spell the last word in luxurious comfort. But how safe is it really?
We may shake our heads in incredulity, but it’s quite true that our chic yet contaminated offices are slowly and invisibly killing people. In fact, medical experts suggest that many common complaints ranging from headaches, eye irritation, flu, nausea and respiratory troubles to fatigue, lethargy and poor concentration can be directly attributed to indoor pollution.
As Dr. S.R. Kamat, a thoracic physician who pioneered pollution and health studies in Mumbai, cautions, “Indoorair pollution is a neglected, lesser-known kind of pollution. It’s often unnoticed and therefore dangerous.” Indeed, the problem is so widespread and acute that the World Health Organisation has even coined the term, ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ for ailments associated with our place of work or residence. It also estimates that one out of every three workers may be toiling away in a workplace that is making them sick.
Let’s take a closer look at the unseen hazards at the workplace:
• There is lack of adequate ventilation in airtight offices for maintaining the air conditioning. Such stale air combined with small cabins and crammed cubicles invite air-borne diseases to fester.
• The centralised air conditioning ducts, drain pans and other damp areas are a hotbed of bacteria, moulds, viruses, fungi and other biological contaminants.
• Too high or too low humidity levels increase the health risks indoors.
• To add to the woes, metals like iron and steel that are an important part of every office are actually bad radiators.
• Seemingly harmless things like adhesives, markers, carpeting, upholstery, cleaning agents, printers and manufactured wood products emit volatile organic compounds including formaldehyde.
We are unknowingly (and even helplessly) breathing in the toxic air that infiltrates our lungs and body. The effects vary as some people succumb to chronic cases of wheezing, asthma or sluggishness even as in other instances no specific illness or cause can be identified and the symptoms may even disappear when they step outside into a better environment. More sensitive people may experience lingering effects, while some may develop life-threatening diseases years later.
What is scarier is the fact that pollutant levels indoors are more concentrated than outdoors, and we spend almost 90 per cent of our life inside these environments!
So, do not delude yourself that places that look or feel sparkling clean is really safe. The office confines may be a cauldron of chemical and biological poisons that are silently, but irreversibly taking a toll on your health and life.
We may shake our heads in incredulity, but it’s quite true that our chic yet contaminated offices are slowly and invisibly killing people. In fact, medical experts suggest that many common complaints ranging from headaches, eye irritation, flu, nausea and respiratory troubles to fatigue, lethargy and poor concentration can be directly attributed to indoor pollution.
As Dr. S.R. Kamat, a thoracic physician who pioneered pollution and health studies in Mumbai, cautions, “Indoorair pollution is a neglected, lesser-known kind of pollution. It’s often unnoticed and therefore dangerous.” Indeed, the problem is so widespread and acute that the World Health Organisation has even coined the term, ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ for ailments associated with our place of work or residence. It also estimates that one out of every three workers may be toiling away in a workplace that is making them sick.
Let’s take a closer look at the unseen hazards at the workplace:
• There is lack of adequate ventilation in airtight offices for maintaining the air conditioning. Such stale air combined with small cabins and crammed cubicles invite air-borne diseases to fester.
• The centralised air conditioning ducts, drain pans and other damp areas are a hotbed of bacteria, moulds, viruses, fungi and other biological contaminants.
• Too high or too low humidity levels increase the health risks indoors.
• To add to the woes, metals like iron and steel that are an important part of every office are actually bad radiators.
• Seemingly harmless things like adhesives, markers, carpeting, upholstery, cleaning agents, printers and manufactured wood products emit volatile organic compounds including formaldehyde.
We are unknowingly (and even helplessly) breathing in the toxic air that infiltrates our lungs and body. The effects vary as some people succumb to chronic cases of wheezing, asthma or sluggishness even as in other instances no specific illness or cause can be identified and the symptoms may even disappear when they step outside into a better environment. More sensitive people may experience lingering effects, while some may develop life-threatening diseases years later.
What is scarier is the fact that pollutant levels indoors are more concentrated than outdoors, and we spend almost 90 per cent of our life inside these environments!
So, do not delude yourself that places that look or feel sparkling clean is really safe. The office confines may be a cauldron of chemical and biological poisons that are silently, but irreversibly taking a toll on your health and life.
What can we do about it?
Its high time employers wake up to the fact that employees can develop life-threatening diseases by continuing to work in sick buildings. Moreover, with unprecedented chemical and microbial contamination hovering in the office atmosphere, employee sickness and absenteeism rates are bound to go through the ceiling. A good workplace design should definitely incorporate style, ambience and comfort parameters, but never neglect health concerns either. Designing offices in harmony with the environment and maintaining them properly can improve indoor air quality. Also, consider some ideas like:
• Stale air accumulates inside buildings with no space to disperse. Provide free flow of air through large windows and air out the office by opening them at least intermittently.
• Natural cross ventilation diffuses fresh oxygen or even the good old fans can draw in outside air, thus dispelling the dangerous artificial air.
• Use ionic air filters or regular exhausts to pump out polluted air and provide constant air exchange.
• Regular use of air purifiers and dehumidifiers helps fight off dangerous chemical substances and other airborne pathogens.
• Revamp faulty heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Also, arrange air sampling to test for microorganism growth.
• Clean air conditioning and ventilation ducts properly at least once a month to prevent toxic mould and bacteria formations.
• Check water pipe leaks and refurbish water-stained ceilings or carpets, as they are a breeding ground for contaminants.
• Vacuum carpets and other upholstery regularly.
• Use pollutant sources like paints, adhesives and pesticides in well-ventilated areas.
• Go green by using eco-friendly materials like bamboo, recycled carpets and the like.
• Apart from this, ensure good natural light and fresh air is effectively distributed throughout the building.
Research further proves that the financial benefits of improving office climates can be eight to 17 times larger than the costs of making those improvements. For instance, a recent Danish study showed that typists increased their output by as much as six per cent in offices with cleaner air.
And, if redesigning offices still sounds like a major investment, weigh it against plummeting productivity, job satisfaction and increased attrition. The choice is yours!
Its high time employers wake up to the fact that employees can develop life-threatening diseases by continuing to work in sick buildings. Moreover, with unprecedented chemical and microbial contamination hovering in the office atmosphere, employee sickness and absenteeism rates are bound to go through the ceiling. A good workplace design should definitely incorporate style, ambience and comfort parameters, but never neglect health concerns either. Designing offices in harmony with the environment and maintaining them properly can improve indoor air quality. Also, consider some ideas like:
• Stale air accumulates inside buildings with no space to disperse. Provide free flow of air through large windows and air out the office by opening them at least intermittently.
• Natural cross ventilation diffuses fresh oxygen or even the good old fans can draw in outside air, thus dispelling the dangerous artificial air.
• Use ionic air filters or regular exhausts to pump out polluted air and provide constant air exchange.
• Regular use of air purifiers and dehumidifiers helps fight off dangerous chemical substances and other airborne pathogens.
• Revamp faulty heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Also, arrange air sampling to test for microorganism growth.
• Clean air conditioning and ventilation ducts properly at least once a month to prevent toxic mould and bacteria formations.
• Check water pipe leaks and refurbish water-stained ceilings or carpets, as they are a breeding ground for contaminants.
• Vacuum carpets and other upholstery regularly.
• Use pollutant sources like paints, adhesives and pesticides in well-ventilated areas.
• Go green by using eco-friendly materials like bamboo, recycled carpets and the like.
• Apart from this, ensure good natural light and fresh air is effectively distributed throughout the building.
Research further proves that the financial benefits of improving office climates can be eight to 17 times larger than the costs of making those improvements. For instance, a recent Danish study showed that typists increased their output by as much as six per cent in offices with cleaner air.
And, if redesigning offices still sounds like a major investment, weigh it against plummeting productivity, job satisfaction and increased attrition. The choice is yours!
PAYAL CHANANIA
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