Page 34 - CIJ Feb 2025 - Digital Edition

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Impact of IAQ on

Health & Productivity

Air quality, be it indoor or outdoor, is equally critical. People spend approximately 90% of their time
indoors, especially in urban areas. Multiple studies have established that indoor pollutant levels are often
two to five times higher than outdoor levels, elaborates Vikas Saxena, CEO, Caleedo-Digitizing Possibilities

I ndoor air pollutants are Impact on Workplace studies show that optimized IAQ

categorized into three groups:
can improve cognitive performance
Productivity
• Chemical Pollutants (including
and productivity of employees
Air quality also affects cognitive
carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide, volatile organic
absenteeism and medical claims
compounds, ozone, nitrogen abilities leading to difficulty in by 6-10%. Resultantly, lower
concentrating, decreased mental
reduce overall healthcare expenses
dioxide, and sulfur dioxide). performance, and impaired for businesses. Further, tenants are
• Physical Pollutants (including decision-making. This, in turn, willing to pay premium rents for
particulate matter – PM1, results in increased absenteeism,
PM2.5, PM10, aerosols, heavy reduced work efficiency, and healthier environments, enhancing
metals, and radon). lower overall productivity in the marketability and maintaining
• Biological Pollutants (including workplace. consistent income streams for
bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold, Investing in IAQ management property owners. Smart IAQ
and dust mites). enhances occupant health, systems optimise HVAC operation,
Such pollutants can adversely workplace quality and also delivers reducing energy consumption by
impact occupants’ health and a direct return on investment (RoI). up to 30%, particularly in large
productivity. Short-term effects Benefits of IAQ commercial buildings. Adhering
include respiratory issues such as to IAQ regulations helps avoid
coughing, sneezing and shortness Management potential fines and enhances brand
of breath, as well as headaches, Implementing effective IAQ reputation.
fatigue, drowsiness, and reduced monitoring and management
cognitive performance. Allergic systems safeguards occupant Real-world estimates suggest
reactions like skin irritation or health while also offering tangible that businesses may recover their
eye discomfort may also occur financial benefits for building investment within one to two years
in susceptible individuals. owners and businesses, including through these benefits.
These effects are often linked
to the duration of exposure,
with symptoms improving or
disappearing once the person
leaves the building. This
phenomenon is classified as Sick
Building Syndrome (SBS).
Long-term health effects are
caused by exposure to specific
contaminants in a building,
categorised under Building-
Related Illness (BRI). These
include chronic respiratory
diseases such as asthma,
bronchitis, and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD),
cardiovascular issues and
increased cancer risk.
34 FEBRUARY 2025•Clean India Journal•www.cleanindiajournal.com