Indoor air quality
www.heatingandventilating.net
Why IAQ should be a priority in the workplace
John Kellett, Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions country manager of UK and Ireland, explains the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) and air conditioning solutions in the workplace and how science and technology can collaborate to deliver healthier air
I
ndoor air quality is “the world’s largest single environmental health risk”, according to The World Health Organisation. Enhanced air quality
not only benefits employee health and wellbeing, but also stimulates productivity by 15%. The benefits of improved air quality extend beyond the individual, as an improvement across all offices could deliver an additional £38bn of economic activity to the London economy, boosting overall output by between 4% and 8%. Following the pandemic, research has found that a higher concentration of potentially harmful bacteria, viruses and particles pollute our indoor air. As we strive to make buildings more air-tight to keep in cool or warm air, we pose the risk of harmful bacteria accumulating in the space, which can have a negative impact on our overall wellbeing and as a result, our workplace performance. The World Health Organisation categorises the most relevant IAQ issues for public health as biological air pollutants (dampness and mould), chemical pollution (can include everyday cleaning products and Volatile Organic Compounds in
Left: John Kellett, Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions country manager of UK and Ireland
and able to inhibit the growth of certain viruses, bacteria and allergens. Hydroxyl radicals instantly seek out and destroy contaminants in the air and on surfaces making them well-known as nature’s most powerful cleaning agent. They also contribute to the elimination of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. In nature, hydroxy radicals last for less than a second, but once contained in tiny water particles, these hydroxyl radical particles have a long lifespan – up to 10 minutes, which significantly boosts their effectiveness. They can then spread over long distances so that hard surfaces, soft furnishings, and the indoor environment can be a cleaner and more pleasant place to be. As companies begin to introduce simple eco-
building products) and pollutants from indoor combustion of fuels. More importantly these pollutants are often hard to see and can trigger health issues such as the spread of viruses and allergies. If left unaddressed, pollutants become more concentrated, and bacteria can breed – creating an unpleasant and potentially harmful indoor atmosphere. Manufacturers such as Panasonic have been
exploring ways to utilise the benefits of the natural world technologies in order to benefit IAQ within buildings. Panasonic has introduced a solution that can generate hydroxyl radicals, abundant in nature,
friendly, everyday changes, such as ensuring good ventilation in the workplace, companies like Panasonic are seeing success in the implementation of the latest technologies to improve IAQ. nanoe™ X technology, for example, can inhibit certain pollutants and deodorise the air, improving the environment when you are inside. The technology works together with Panasonic heating or cooling devices within the space and can also operate independently. A recent case study with Riverdale Healthcare highlights some of the benefits that this technology has on the workplace, for both colleagues and clients. Ian Gordon, dental director of Riverdale Healthcare explains: “Patients are very aware of the requirement for IAQ and put a high degree of trust in us as practitioners to deliver safe measures in our surgeries. When we looked at the findings of the independent tests, why wouldn’t we add this technology – we can add it to our inspections and show our customers that we are trying to mitigate the spread of any airborne virus or respiratory infections within the surgery. Air conditioning is part of a wider investment in meeting ventilation requirements for dental surgeries in a post Covid world – so using air conditioning which is an adjunct to cleaner air is a logical step”. In recent years, the demand for enhanced air quality has surged, leading to annual shipments of nanoe™ devices exceeding 10 million units. These devices are now utilised in diverse facilities and public spaces across 107 countries, including Europe. Notably, nanoe™ technology has been deployed in both commercial and residential spaces, such as domestic railways, automobiles, schools, hospitals, hotels, offices, commercial facilities and homes throughout Europe. Panasonic continues to explore and evolve the potential of its indoor air quality technology. These advancements aim to provide clean and comfortable environments in daily life and society.
22 February 2025
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