Clean Air In The Workplace

Canadians are paying attention to their indoor air quality and understand how indoor air affects their performance at work.

In observance of International Day of Clean Air 2023, Fellowes conducted an annual survey of over 500 Canadian office workers. Exploring the current perceptions around safe air in the workplace, the survey sought to clarify the importance of air quality to health and wellness.

The survey of workers in an office at least one full day per week revealed that only 25 per cent of respondents believe the air in their workplace is very clean.

At the same time, employees are aware of the importance of clean air to their well-being. In fact, 95 per cent acknowledge that clean air should be a right for employees, and 93 per cent state that clean indoor air helps them perform their best at work.

New standards in safe air

The increasing public demand for improved indoor air qualityy (IAQ) led to the release of standards for controlling infectious aerosols and maintaining healthy IAQ by ASHRAE, an organization dedicated to advancing human well-being through technology in building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and refrigeration. ASHRAE guidelines recommend a combination of clean air delivery rate and filtration levels equivalent to five air changes per hour (eACH). The Government of Canada has also drafted similar guidance for IAQ, and encourages the use of air filtration to maximize air cleanliness. As awareness of air quality’s impact on health and wellness becomes more widespread, taking action requires a scientifically-backed, multi-faceted approach.

Taking strategic action

To meet these new standards, employers and individuals should invest in HEPA-grade air purification to ensure adequate protection from airborne viruses, bacteria, pollution, allergens, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the workplace. For deeper insights into how contaminated air is impacting a space, Canadians should also consider solutions with real-time indoor air quality, such as the Fellowes Array air quality management system. These systems provide complete visibility into the air quality status of any space for accurate filtration whenever it is needed.