The True Cost of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Executive Summary

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. There’s not one measurement that can determine if a building’s indoor air quality is good or bad, rather, IAQ is defined by a combination of different factors.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cites indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air as the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. Secondary to those, the EPA considers inadequate ventilation, high temperatures, and high humidity levels as top contributors to poor indoor air quality.

Poor indoor air quality has been linked to short-term health symptoms like headaches and fatigue, as well as contributing to chronic conditions like asthma. Worker dissatisfaction increases with worsening indoor air quality, which contributes to higher levels of absenteeism and reduced productivity.

Investing in indoor air quality has been shown to provide dividends. High-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans offer cost-effective benefits like improved temperature control and humidity management. This white paper describes the importance of IAQ, the financial implications of poor indoor air quality, and the potential for HVLS fans to create healthier, more productive workplaces that benefit both employees and employers.

Introduction

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.[1] There’s not one measurement that can determine if a building’s indoor air quality is good or bad, rather, IAQ is defined by a combination of different factors.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cites indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air as the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. Secondary to those, the EPA considers inadequate ventilation, high temperatures, and high humidity levels as top contributors to poor indoor air quality.[1]

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been linked to short-term health symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Some specific diseases have been linked to long-term exposure to poor IAQ, such as asthma in damp environments.[2] Workers exposed to high-temperature working environments are at risk of heat stress and other heat-related illnesses.[3]

Aside from the potential health risks, poor indoor air quality also contributes to worker dissatisfaction. A survey of office workers revealed that 40% have taken a day off because the quality of the air in their office had made them feel ill.[4] A recent innovative MIT study linked poor air quality to lower levels of happiness, even showing that on polluted days, people are more likely to engage in impulsive and risky behavior that they may later regret, possibly as a result of short-term depression and anxiety.[5]

Investing in indoor air quality pays dividends, however. A 2017 study found that employees working in high-performing, green-certified buildings achieved 26.4% higher cognitive test scores.[6] A 2015 study determined that upgrading workplace ventilation improved the performance of workers by 8%, equivalent to a $6500 increase in employee productivity each year.[7]

Problem Statement and Background

Poor indoor air quality increases employee turnover.

Poor indoor air quality increases employee turnover. In a recent study, 62% of the 3,000 workers surveyed stated that they would be willing to leave their job if their building’s indoor air quality was not improved.[8] 89% believe that their building’s air quality has a direct impact on their physical health.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimates that employers need to spend the equivalent of six to nine months of an employee’s salary in order to find and train their replacement. For an employee salaried at $60,000, the cost is estimated to be $30,000 to $45,000.[9]

Other research suggests the costs could be even higher. In a study conducted by the Center for American Progress, losing an employee was determined to cost up to 213% of the salary for a highly trained position. In addition to these replacement costs, high turnover rates also impact company culture, productivity, engagement, and overhead.

Poor indoor air quality increases employee absenteeism.

Poor indoor air quality increases employee absenteeism. Ambius, an interior landscaping company, conducted a study of 1,000 office workers in the United States that revealed that almost half of workers had taken a day off because the quality of the air in their office had made them feel ill.[4] When indoor air quality is poor, it can lead to temporary or permanent health issues, which in turn may result in more sick days and higher absenteeism rates. Poor IAQ can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems, allergies, headaches, or fatigue. Employees who experience these health issues are more likely to take sick leave to recover or seek medical attention.

Poor indoor air quality reduces employee productivity.

Poor indoor air quality reduces employee productivity. Environmental stress can affect employee performance. A study of office workers noted that when individuals experience just two symptoms of discomfort (e.g., dry eyes, itchy or watery eyes, dry throat, lethargy, headache, chest tightness), they begin to perceive a reduction in their own performance. That perception increases as the number of symptoms increases, averaging a 3 percent loss with three symptoms, and an 8 percent loss with five symptoms.[11]

More than just perception, a 2018 study determined that worker productivity declines approximately 2.6% per degree Celsius above a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of 24°C (75.2°F), a measure that combines temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat sources, and wind speed.[10] Work activities are diminished when employees feel too hot or too cold, and adverse health symptoms increase.

Poor indoor air quality decreases employee comfort and happiness.

Many studies have found a correlation between air pollution levels and individual happiness, indicating that happiness decreases with increasing air pollution.[12] Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) used real-time data from social media to track how changing daily pollution levels impacted people’s happiness. They found that social media sentiment was more negative on days when air pollution levels were higher, indicating a relationship between air quality and expressed happiness.[5]

Employee comfort is also affected by indoor air quality. IAQ is closely tied to temperature and humidity levels. Poor IAQ can lead to discomfort if the air is too hot, too cold, excessively dry, or overly humid. Maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels contributes to a comfortable work environment.

The cost of an employee heat-related incident is high.

As a whole, the cost of workplace heat stress in the US is estimated to be nearly $100 billion every year, based on lost work time. On an individual level, approximately 170,000 workers are injured in heat stress-related accidents on the job, potentially resulting in long-term disabilities that can not only diminish worker income, but also have detrimental effects on worker health and reduce quality of life. As many as 2,000 workers lose their lives to excessive heat in the workplace each year in the US.[10]

Solution: High-volume Low-Speed (HVLS) Fans

An HVLS fan is a type of large ceiling fan designed to move a significant volume of air at a low speed. These fans are particularly useful in large facilities like warehouses, manufacturing plants, or other industrial spaces. HVLS fans create a gentle breeze that helps improve air circulation, maintain consistent temperatures, and enhance comfort for building occupants. They can have a substantial positive impact on measures that affect indoor air quality.

HVLS fans improve temperature comfort.

HVLS fans help maintain more consistent temperatures throughout indoor spaces by eliminating extreme hot and cold spots. In spaces with high ceilings, HVLS fans prevent thermal stratification, where warm air rises and cold air sinks. By gently pushing warm air down and mixing it with cooler air, they create a more uniform temperature profile from floor to ceiling in both hot and cold environments. This uniformity in temperature translates to greater overall comfort for building occupants.

The draft-free movement of air generated by HVLS fans works with the body’s natural cooling mechanism, sweat evaporation, to make workers feel cooler even in warm conditions. Even if the actual room temperature remains the same, the airflow from HVLS fans creates a cooling sensation on the skin. This perceived temperature reduction makes workers feel more comfortable.

HVLS fans improve overall humidity levels.

Whether your facility is located in a humid climate or your manufacturing processes produce excess moisture in the air, HVLS fans can improve overall humidity levels to increase worker comfort and decrease the potential for mold or mildew growth.

HVLS fans raise the evaporation rate of moisture in the air as warm air mixes with cooler air. Humidity is more evenly distributed throughout the space, reducing the possibility of condensation forming on floors or equipment that could create a safety hazard. Individuals also tend to perceive the quality of the indoor air to be better when humidity is at the low end of the comfort zone.[11]

HVLS fans reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants.

Poor indoor air circulation can lead to the accumulation of pollutants in specific zones or corners of a space. HVLS fans prevent the formation of stagnant air pockets, ensuring that all areas receive fresh, well-mixed air. While stuffy or stagnant air can lead to feelings of fatigue, circulating or moving air helps disperse pollutants, maintain even temperatures, and create a more comfortable and healthier indoor environment.

HVLS fans increase worker happiness.

When employees feel comfortable, they are happier and more content with their working conditions, translating into greater job satisfaction and overall happiness.

A comfortable and pleasant work environment, aided by the use of HVLS fans, can enhance a company’s reputation as an employer. This can help with employee retention and recruitment efforts, which can also contribute to a happier workforce.

Conclusion

Indoor air quality plays an important role in the well-being of building occupants, influencing not only their health but also their overall happiness and productivity. Poor IAQ, often caused by indoor pollution sources and inadequate ventilation, can lead to a range of health issues and workplace challenges, including absenteeism, reduced productivity, and employee turnover.

Investing in solutions to improve IAQ, such as high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans, can yield substantial benefits. HVLS fans address multiple facets of IAQ-related problems. They enhance temperature comfort by eliminating hot and cold spots, improve humidity levels by promoting even distribution of moisture, and reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants by preventing stagnant air pockets.

HVLS fans also contribute to worker happiness. A comfortable and pleasant work environment, facilitated by HVLS fans, leads to higher job satisfaction and contentment among employees. When employees feel good about their workplace, they are more likely to stay with the company, be more productive, and contribute positively to the overall work culture. Therefore, recognizing the significance of IAQ and implementing solutions like HVLS fans not only results in a healthier workforce but also in a more vibrant and productive work environment, ultimately benefiting both employees and employers alike.

Contact VividAir

VividAir is a high performance commercial HVLS fan manufacturer dedicated to the science of better air. Our patented designs include the Z-TechTM blade, a stepped symmetrical fan blade that dramatically reduces frictional resistance and drag while greatly increasing air displacement and thrust. The Z-Tech blade design provides an industry leading coverage area that’s 30% greater than the competition.

References

[1] US EPA. Introduction to indoor air quality. 2014 [cited 2023 Aug 23]; Available from: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality

[2] Osha.gov. Indoor Air Quality in Commercial and Institutional Buildings. 2011 [cited 2023 Aug 23]. Available from: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/3430indoor-air-quality-sm.pdf

[3] CDC. NIOSH heat stress topic page [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023 [cited 2023 Aug 23]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/default.html

[4] Ambius. Ambius Air Quality Survey [Internet]. [cited 2023 Sep 1]. Available from: https://www.ambius.com/resources/insights/air-quality-survey

[5] A link between happiness and air quality [Internet]. Mit.edu. [cited 2023 Aug 23]. Available from: https://dusp.mit.edu/news/link-between-happiness-and-air-quality

[6] MacNaughton P, Satish U, Laurent JGC, Flanigan S, Vallarino J, Coull B, et al. The impact of working in a green certified building on cognitive function and health. Build Environ [Internet]. 2017;114:178–86. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132316304723

[7] MacNaughton P, Pegues J, Satish U, Santanam S, Spengler J, Allen J. Economic, environmental and health implications of enhanced ventilation in office buildings. Int J Environ Res Public Health [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2023 Aug 25];12(11):14709–22. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/11/14709/html

[8] Honeywell survey reveals 72% of office workers worldwide worry about air quality in their buildings [Internet]. Honeywell.com. [cited 2023 Aug 23]. Available from: https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/press/2022/02/honeywell-survey-reveals-72-of-office-workers-worldwide-worry-about-air-quality-in-their-buildings

[9] Essential elements of employee retention [Internet]. Shrm.org. [cited 2023 Aug 23]. Available from: https://lrshrm.shrm.org/blog/2017/10/essential-elements-employee-retention

[10] The cost of inaction [Internet]. Public Citizen. 2022 [cited 2023 Aug 25]. Available from: https://www.citizen.org/article/heat-stress-the-cost-of-inaction/

[11] US EPA. Indoor Air Quality and Student Performance. 2003 [Internet]. Epa.gov. [cited 2023 Aug 23]. Available from: https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/100045VK.PDF?Dockey=100045VK.PDF

[12] Tian X, Zhang C, Xu B. The impact of air pollution on residents’ happiness: A study on the moderating effect based on pollution sensitivity. Int J Environ Res Public Health [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Aug 25];19(12):7536. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127536