Yes, The Smog Outside Is Hazardous, But Is The Air You Breathe At Workplace Safer?

Those who can afford them have installed air purifiers at their homes but what about the hundreds of thousands of commercial and business offices in these cities? Here there's a different metric, not AQI but IAQ -- Internal Air Quality -- that comes into focus.

Allroy Collaco, Head of Facilities Management and Administration at Gurgaon-based Insurance Dekho, which has 950 employees in its head office, says, “internal Air Quality should be monitored in offices throughout the year and in real time, and not just when there is severe pollution.”

The health and well-being of employees in a significant portion of workspaces is at risk because IAQ is not paid heed to. Some 73 per cent offices surveyed in a Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI) India and Saint Gobain Research India report 2022 had three or more contaminants above the prescribed limit and 67 per cent offices had nitrogen dioxide above the minimum limit.

Contaminants And Adverse Impact

The lens on air pollution is highly focused during the winter months but pollution is a year-round hazard. For example, the dust in the buildings and from carpets and rugs in rooms are there 24x7; similarly, the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from air conditioners. Again, poor quality paints and enamels, photocopiers and printers are also health hazards as they exude volatile organic compounds (VOC).

The polluted outdoor air, carrying the smog, spores, pollens and other chemicals and allergens, adds to the indoor air pollution. “Many of these are carcinogenetic. These may often not have an immediate adverse impact on employee health but in the long-term they are harmful,” adds Colaco.

When the air outside is very hazardous, there are various pollutants that can harm people. These include: carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, PM 2.5 (particulate matter 2.5 microns and smaller), TVOCS (total volatile organic compounds) and T/RH (temperature and relative humidity). All of the above lead to health issues including cancer, heart and asthma attacks, lung infections and anxiety and depression.

Ways To Overcome The Challenges

Strategies to counter indoor air pollution include selection of materials and equipment that have a green certification or are star-rated and installed as per green specifications.

Ventilation of indoor spaces is also important to ensure concentration of pollutants such as carbon dioxide are maintained within norms. Carbon dioxide of up to 1000 ppm in indoor air is considered acceptable as per applicable air-conditioning and ventilation standards. Carbon dioxide sensors can be synchronised with the indoor air conditioning control system to automatically modulate the volume of clean air brought in to achieve the target concentration.

Care must also be taken to prevent infiltration of outdoor air by effectively sealing openings through which polluted air can enter the conditioned space inside. In addition, active measures to prevent entry of dust particles into the building such as effective filtration measures can be taken.

Amazon, worldwide, is using an algorithm called HEAAL, which stands for Health-Optimised, Excellent, Action, Alert, Limit. When air quality is at “Action” level, it’s not immediately dangerous and but could turn harmful. At "Alert" level, it should be looked into within two weeks. At "Limit" level, the health of the employees is being endangered.

Susan George, senior architect and project management consultant, says, “There are many benefits of having good quality air within offices. Healthy and safe workers mean that office absenteeism will be lower. Second, various global studies have shown a proven link indoor air quality and cognitive functions in businesses like strategic decision-making and responses under work stress and pressure. In short, better air means higher productivity. Finally, better indoor air means contributing to the national climate and sustainability goals. It is estimated that globally, 40 per cent of greenhouse emissions are from buildings.”

There are mechanical and electronic devices now in the market in India though much less than the choices in western markets. These include chiller plants, filters, VRF (variable refrigerant flow) systems and having annual maintenance contracts with AC and heater providers. Today, there are also real-time sensors that give one data every one to two hours.

Says Collaco, “Ultimately, companies should move towards preventive action and not just a one-time activity during the winter season. Good companies should have a long-term perspective.” Sums up Susan George: “There is a cost attached to maintaining internal air quality. But it is an investment in better employee health and well-being.”