Air improvement centre

Citation

(2001), "Air improvement centre", Facilities, Vol. 19 No. 3/4. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2001.06919cab.001

Air improvement centre

Section Editor, Jenny Pickles, MCB University Press. News of developments and new resources for publication may be sent to the editor at jpickles@mcbup.co.uk

Air improvement centre

Keywords: Air conditioning, Legislation, Office environments, Health and safety

With one in eight offices as dry as the Sahara Desert, over-dry conditions are costing British business a staggering £4 billion a year in lost working hours. Here Valerie Taplin of the Air Improvement Centre (AIC) explains the problem – and the solution.

Amazingly, many employers are only just finding out how big a problem dry air is. Computers, phones, fax machines, photo copiers, lighting and VDUs all pump out heat’and dry air causing low levels of humidity.

Static electricity too is a conclusive indicator of excessively dry air. If the air is too dry, the skin and body are subjected to a continuous dehydration process. This can aggravate respiratory and dry skin problems and could lead to premature ageing of the skin, not to mention problems for people with contact lenses.

An over-dry office atmosphere – and excessive localised heat at the workstation –causes a plethora of symptoms such as headaches, dry eyes, dry skin, sore throats, colds and flu resulting in costly absenteeism.

A study of 100 workplaces in the UK by stress expert Dr David Lewis (resulting in the Volvic Hydration Report 1999) identified the link between overly dry office air and employees' stress due to the low levels of moisture content (relative humidity) in the air.

New legislation requires employers to ensure that "an adequate level of humidity is established and maintained" in offices where there are VDUs. For health and comfort reasons an "adequate" level is normally considered to be in the region of 45-55 per cent rH (relative humidity).

The reason behind this is that VDUs produce dry heat and this can cause discomfort. Although essential for comfort, central heating also dries the air, often to levels as low as 25-30 per cent rH which is equivalent to the Sahara Desert.

The worst of the very dry conditions tend to occur on cold, crisp winter days when the outside air is already cold and dry. By mid-afternoon, after the computers have been running for several hours, the humidity can fall to 20-25 per cent rH. Problems can also occur on hot dry summer days as air conditioning also tends to dehydrate the air.

Surveys undertaken by AIC over the last 12 months show consistently low levels of humidity in computerised offices and a lot of staff complaining about dry eyes, especially those wearing contact lenses. Similarly, dry skin problems, particularly for people with eczema or psoriasis.

Yet not many facilities managers seem to have picked up on the humidity aspects of the regulations and therefore put two and two together. Questioning has revealed that the majority of facilities managers do not have any idea what the humidity is in the offices for which they are responsible.

Relative humidity can be measured with a hygrometer. But very few facilities managers have hygrometers and a high proportion do not even seem to know what a hygrometer is. Given these alarming discoveries, it was decided there was a need for more information in an easily administered form and AIC launched a Humidity Recording Kit. It is simple to use and designed to make life easier for those responsible for keeping records – and more healthy and comfortable conditions for staff.

If the relative humidity level is too low, a humidifier will increase the humidity. If the level is too high – unlikely except in damp archives or storage areas – a dehumidifier will decrease the humidity. It is more likely that humidity will need to be raised, rather than lowered, in computerised offices and AIC offers a free advisory service.

The new legislation will be a relief to the many thousands of office workers who suffer from an uncomfortable environment in their workplace. It makes sense for the employee whose skin and eyes will be better – no-one wants to dry out and wrinkle up like a prune.

And it makes sense for an employer who will have a happier, healthier and more productive workforce.

For more information on free surveys or equipment contact Valerie Taplin at the Air Improvement Centre, 23 Denbigh Street, Victoria, London SWlV 2HF. Tel: +44 (0)20 7834 2834; Fax: +44 (0)20 7630 8485; E-mail: valerietaplin@air-improvement.co.uk

Profile

Valerie Taplin is a science graduate from London University and an ex-chemistry teacher who founded the Air Improvement Centre in 1982.

It is a unique independent company specialising in improving indoor air quality in offices and homes throughout the UK.