A health alert has been issued in areas of England ahead of the heatwave this weekend, with temperatures set to rise to 29C. Employers have a legal duty to protect the health and safety of their staff, which means they must keep offices at a “reasonable temperature“. However, the majority of UK workplaces are not equipped for extreme heat.
Alan Siggins, Managing Director of Airflow Developments and indoor ventilation expert, says:
“As Clean Air Day approaches, concerns surrounding the quality of air indoors come back into focus. And it’s not before time.
“Air pollution has been shown to have a significant impact on health and wellbeing. According to the WHO, ambient air pollution and household air pollution are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths each year, around the world. Studies are also highlighting that indoor air quality is significantly worse than outdoor air quality. In fact, a report from Clean Air Day found that ultrafine particle pollution is, on average, 3.5 times higher inside the home than outside.
“So it’s clear that greater emphasis on indoor air quality is needed, particularly when it comes to ventilation in schools, homes and offices – where people spend a lot of time. We can’t just shrug off the issue of indoor air quality when we know it brings a multitude of benefits.
“Cleaner indoor air improves productivity and cognitive function, speeding up response times and allowing people to focus more effectively. It also reduces triggers for conditions like asthma and lessens the likelihood of getting sick from airborne viruses.”
Factors like this are especially relevant to businesses, who want greater employee well-being and productivity. So they have a particular interest in lifting air quality. But even more importantly, they have a responsibility to look after employees’ health, providing an environment where they feel comfortable and can work to the best of their ability.
“Improving air quality is our area of expertise and we know the solutions available to overcome these problems. However, significant investment is required and there must be support from the upper reaches of government for that to happen. We hope Clean Air Day helps to raise awareness and bring this vital issue back into the national consciousness. It’s a reminder that we must all do our part to reduce indoor air pollution and promote good indoor ventilation.”
