The Air We Breathe.

The EPA indicates that you spend about 90% of your time indoors and the quality of indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the worst outside air.

The EPA also states that the three sources of poor indoor air quality in offices are : “ the presence of indoor pollution sources like asbestos from insulation, formaldehyde, carpet, cleaning materials, air fresheners, and copying machines; poorly designed, maintained, or operated ventilation systems; and uses of the building that were unanticipated or poorly planned for when the building was designed or renovated.”

This makes us think--what are we doing to better the air we breathe?  How often are you dusting your space, cleaning the air vents or shampooing your carpets?  Are you getting fresh air into your office at all? Have you considered the materials and finishes you chose may be harmful to your health? There is some good news--you can take certain steps to improve your interior environment.  

Here are a few:

1-      adding plants in your space removes CO2 and adds oxygen

2-      getting your ducts cleaned

3-      changing air filters often

4-      shampooing your carpets

5-      getting an air purifier with a HEPA filter that removes dust, dirt, pollen and other allergens in the air

6-   selecting low-emitting carpet and paint

Also, as we have recently talked about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification before, the USGBC has Indoor Environmental Quality as one of the six areas covered in the LEED process.

If you are looking to renovate or expand into new space, going after LEED certification is something to consider.  Or if you just moved into a LEED certified space, there are certain points that have already been obtained from the checklist.  This means planning, implementing and maintaining indoor air quality, thermal comfort, increased ventilation and daylight through views have been achieved or considered.

Let NKB Design and Management help you come up with an indoor air quality action plan which would include selecting materials that are low-emitting such as paints, carpets and adhesives and possibly adding LEED certification into your project.  

Check out this informative image on the benefits of indoor plants!

image from urbanplanters