You might not notice it… Not until you step out into the fresh air and realize just how good it feels to be outside. Poor indoor air quality in the office can cause a range of symptoms, such as eye and mucous membrane irritation, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and unexplained fatigue—symptoms that are often dismissed as minor issues when considered individually. 

What causes poor indoor air quality?

Fortunately, society has been moving in the right direction since smoking was allowed in offices, but a healthy indoor environment isn’t measured solely by the amount of tobacco smoke in the room. A poor indoor environment can be caused by everything from the design of the open-plan office to shortcomings in building operations or maintenance. Dust, particles, moisture, and microorganisms can all affect air quality, just as temperature, noise, and lighting conditions all influence the indoor environment. Below is a summary of some of the factors that can contribute to a poor indoor environment, as well as what you can do to help create a healthy indoor environment in the office. 

Temperature: 

In an office where physical activity is minimal, a suitable temperature is around 20–22 degrees, and it should not exceed 25 degrees. In addition, the temperature should ideally not fluctuate by more than 4 degrees over the course of a workday to ensure that the indoor climate remains comfortable in the office. 

Air quality: 

The air inside buildings always contains dust, so it is important to remove dust regularly to prevent the accumulation of dust particles. Most dust problems occur in offices with carpets or other mineral wool surfaces. Frequent ventilation and thorough cleaning, as well as having surfaces that are easy to clean, can contribute to better air quality and a healthy indoor environment. 

Light: 

In addition to providing light for work, the room should be lit in a comfortable manner. Inappropriate lighting can take the form of either glare from natural light or poor artificial lighting. As a general rule, an office workspace should ideally be positioned with its side facing natural light, and artificial lighting should be either diffused, shielded, or reflected off a matte surface to avoid glare from smooth objects on the desk. In addition, it may be beneficial to completely remove objects such as glasses, coffee cups, or phones—which can cause glare—from your peripheral field of vision to avoid glare.  

Audio: 

Noise has a significant impact on the indoor environment in an office, which is why it is important to take sound and acoustic conditions into account. The room must be adequately soundproofed so that outside noise does not disturb those inside the office. Noisy work processes can be very disruptive to computer work. Therefore, it is a good idea to openly discuss sound conditions in the office and establish internal policies regarding, for example, the radio and phone calls.

Are you unsure about the indoor air quality in your office and whether you meet the standards? At Acture, we can help you improve your indoor air quality with our workplace assessment (APV).

Source: https://at.dk/regler/at-vejledninger/indeklima-a-1-2/