What are the main sources of air pollutants in the workplace?

Air pollution in workplaces can come from lots of different places. Common sources include dust from machining or sanding, fumes from welding or soldering, chemical vapours from paints and solvents, and gases from combustion processes. Even office environments aren’t immune — photocopiers, cleaning products, poor ventilation and mould growth can all affect air quality.

Outdoor pollution can also drift indoors, especially in buildings near busy roads or industrial sites. Every workplace is different, so the key is identifying what activities or materials release pollutants and how they move through the building.