We all know about outdoor pollution. But what about once we step inside the office?
According to the French Association for Allergy Prevention, indoor air is 5 to 10 times more polluted than outdoor air. Given the printers, dusty carpets, cleaning products and CO2 accumulated in enclosed spaces, indoor air quality in offices can be a major issue… And its impact on employee health can be significant.
According to a study done by the Indoor Air Quality Observatory, poor air quality can lead to chronic fatigue, respiratory problems, eye irritation and frequent headaches.
Employers are not powerless when they face this issue. Simple solutions exist: regular ventilation of premises, space greening and the use of air purifiers.
Beyond internal initiatives, what does the law provide for?
The French Labour Code (Articles R4222-1 to R4222-3) does provide for minimum ventilation, but nothing compared to what is imposed to premises dedicated to specific people such as schools or nurseries (2010 Grenelle II law). The good news? Under the European directive on the energy performance of buildings, air quality monitoring and automation systems are required to be installed in business premises by 2026.
In short, better air quality means better working conditions: a win-win situation for everyone.
Have a breath, ærige is here to help.
