Sick-building syndrome originates from poor indoor air quality

Staying indoors could actually be bad for your health.

Recent studies reveal that indoor air quality (IAQ) left unmonitored in buildings – especially older ones – can contribute to a dangerous work environment. This has the potential to be incredibly dangerous given that city residents spend up to 90 per cent of their time indoors, according to CNBC. Maintenance staff must regularly use tools like the testo 440 air velocity and IAQ instrument to stay ahead of the risk.

The research doesn't lie

A recent study published in the Science of the Total Environment journal posits that the potential threat poor IAQ holds to human health can outstrip that of more commonly acknowledged pollutants.

"When we think of 'air pollution,' we tend to think of car exhausts or factory fumes expelling gray smoke," Prashant Kumar, co-author of the study told CNBC. "However, there are actually various sources of pollution that have a negative effect on air quality, many of which are found inside our homes and offices. From cooking residue to paints, varnishes and fungal spores, the air we breathe indoors is often more polluted than outside."

The testo 440 helps put an end to sick-building syndrome.

Left unchecked, these conditions can develop into a sick-building syndrome, where simply working in an office is hazardous in a variety of ways. It also leads to higher levels of absenteeism and lower rates of productivity among staff, according to a study published in the Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Time to flip the switch

One reason IAQ goes unnoticed is because of the cumbersome equipment, lengthy processes and occasionally inaccurate data associated with testing it. The testo 440 air velocity and IAQ instrument mitigates those concerns with its intuitive, handheld design and ability to take quick and precise measurements.

At the heart of its design is a digital control panel that offers insight into a variety of metrics, ranging from temperature and humidity to mould detection. Its Bluetooth capability allows technicians to seamlessly swap out probes for a variety of testing formats, and they can be extended to accommodate places that are difficult to reach. Perhaps most important of all, the testo 440 itself will never need to be calibrated – only the replaceable probes – which ensures the data being collected is always as accurate as possible.

Interested in learning more about your building's indoor air quality? Contact a Testo representative today.