Workplace indoor air quality
Workplace indoor air quality is very important for people working in office buildings or other commercial premises located in close proximity to industrial units. People working in such environments are often exposed to a low concentration of various industrial chemicals which can overtime cause adverse symptoms in the most sensitive individuals. Employees working in an office environment can often be exposed to chemical compounds such as ozone (photocopier), Volatiles (Cleaning products and detergents), Fumigation agents (following pest infestations), various toxic vapours (new furnishing and carpets), or biological contaminants (mould, dust mites, or bacteria).
Sysco Environmental can undertake ventilation hygiene assessments in the workplace. This is a service that allows us to sample and measure levels of microbiological activity living within a ventilation system such as organisms that live in the accumulated dirt and dust. Mould can release spores that circulate and bring about allergies that can cause infections. We will also test the air in the workplace to measure any airborne contaminants and air pollutants. This assessment is undertaken following the TM26: 2000 Hygienic maintenance of office ventilation ductwork.
Sysco has performed many indoor air quality investigations in commercial premises and office buildings with poor indoor air quality. We employ modern scientific investigation techniques to identify likely causes of the problem and perform a range of chemical and biological sampling and analysis to identify the offending irritants and suggest the most optimal control solutions.
Occupants of buildings with poor indoor air quality report a wide range of health problems which are often called Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) or Tight Building Syndrome (TBS), Building-Related Illness (BRI), and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS).
All these conditions describe a range of symptoms that can be linked to spending time in the offending building. People often experience symptoms such as headaches, poor concentration, fatigue, shortness of breath, and irritations.
A certain percentage of people may react to a number of contaminants in indoor air, each of which may occur at very low concentrations. Different individuals in the same building may experience different symptoms. Sick-building symptoms may also be linked to non-chemical causes such as stress, long exposure to display screens poor lighting, or temperature.
See our other Indoor air quality services: