Canadians are paying attention to their indoor air quality and understand how indoor air affects their performance at work.
In observance of International Day of Clean Air 2023, Fellowes conducted an annual survey of over 500 Canadian office workers. Exploring the current perceptions around safe air in the workplace, the survey sought to clarify the importance of air quality to health and wellness.
The survey of workers in an office at least one full day per week revealed that only 25 per cent of respondents believe the air in their workplace is very clean.
At the same time, employees are aware of the importance of clean air to their well-being. In fact, 95 per cent acknowledge that clean air should be a right for employees, and 93 per cent state that clean indoor air helps them perform their best at work.
Employee Perceptions of Their Workplace
25%
of respondents believe the air in their workplace is very clean
95%
acknowledge that clean air should
be a right for employees
93%
state that clean indoor air helps them perform their best at work
Fellowes fielded a survey Aug. 25-29, 2023, about indoor air quality topics via SurveyMonkey Audience to 1,085 U.S. (585) and Canadian (500) adults who work at least one full day per week indoors at their employer’s location. The survey had a margin of error of +/- 3% at the 95% confidence level.
New standards in safe air
The increasing public demand for improved indoor air quality (IAQ) led to the release of standards for controlling infectious aerosols and maintaining healthy indoor air quality by ASHRAE, an organization dedicated to advancing human well-being through technology in building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and refrigeration. ASHRAE guidelines recommend a combination of clean air delivery rate and filtration levels equivalent to five air changes per hour (eACH). The Government of Canada has also drafted similar guidance for IAQ, and encourages the use of air filtration to maximize air cleanliness. As awareness of air quality’s impact on health and wellness becomes more widespread, taking action requires a scientifically-backed, multi-faceted approach.
Taking strategic action
To meet these new standards, employers and individuals should invest in HEPA-grade air purification to ensure adequate protection from airborne viruses, bacteria, pollution, allergens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the workplace. For deeper insights into how contaminated air is impacting a space, Canadians should also consider solutions with real-time indoor air quality, such as the Fellowes Array air quality management system. These systems provide complete visibility into the air quality status of any space for accurate filtration whenever it is needed.
Fellowes encourages Canadians everywhere to invest in indoor air purification — for better health now and into the future. Reach out to Fellowes to learn more and get started.
