Improving Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings

Indoor air quality has become a top concern for employers and employees alike. The average office worker spends roughly eight hours per day breathing indoor air, which the EPA reports can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. At First Class Building Maintenance, we help Pacific Northwest businesses address this invisible but critical aspect of workplace health.

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

Common pollutants in office environments include volatile organic compounds from furniture, paint, and cleaning products. Particulate matter from printers and copiers also contributes to poor air quality. Biological contaminants such as mold, bacteria, and dust mites thrive in the Pacific Northwest’s humid climate and can accumulate in carpets, ductwork, and ceiling tiles.

The Role of Cleaning in Air Quality

Cleaning practices directly influence indoor air quality, for better or worse. Traditional cleaning products containing ammonia, chlorine, or synthetic fragrances release VOCs that degrade air quality. Switching to low-VOC or fragrance-free products eliminates this source of pollution.

Vacuuming with HEPA-filtered equipment removes particulates from carpets without recirculating them. Damp mopping hard surfaces captures dust rather than pushing it into the air. These techniques, while simple, make a measurable difference in particle counts.

Ventilation Matters

Even the best cleaning program cannot compensate for inadequate ventilation. Ensure your HVAC system meets ASHRAE Standard 62.1 for minimum ventilation rates. Consider upgrading to MERV-13 or higher filters, which capture finer particles including some biological contaminants.

Monitoring and Improvement

Indoor air quality monitors are now affordable and easy to deploy. Tracking CO2 levels, humidity, and particulate matter over time helps identify problem areas and measure the impact of interventions.

FCBM incorporates air-quality-conscious practices into every cleaning program we design. Contact us to learn how cleaner air starts with cleaner spaces.