Indoor air quality and workplace wellbeing: the business case

We spend around 90% of our time indoors, yet indoor air quality (IAQ) is often an afterthought — until people start complaining of headaches, stuffiness or fatigue. For employers, the return on getting it right is measurable.

Why IAQ is climbing the agenda

• Productivity. Studies consistently link elevated CO₂ and poor ventilation with reduced cognitive performance.
• Absence and wellbeing. Stuffy, poorly ventilated spaces contribute to the vague-but-real “sick building” effect.
• Post-pandemic expectations. Ventilation is now something staff, unions and facilities teams actively ask about.

What a good IAQ survey measures

A meaningful indoor air quality assessment goes well beyond temperature:

Parameter	Why it matters
CO₂	A proxy for ventilation adequacy and occupancy
PM2.5 / PM10	Fine particulates from outdoor air and activities
VOCs	Off-gassing from furnishings, cleaning, printing
Temperature & humidity	Comfort, and mould/condensation risk
CO	Combustion safety where relevant

Reading the results

The value is in interpretation. A CO₂ reading spiking each afternoon points to under-ventilation at peak occupancy. Elevated VOCs after a refurbishment suggest off-gassing that will settle — or a source that needs removing. A good report tells you not just the numbers, but what to do about them.

Practical, low-cost wins

Many IAQ issues resolve without major capital spend:

1. Commission or rebalance existing ventilation
2. Adjust fresh-air rates for actual occupancy
3. Review cleaning products and printing locations
4. Add localised extraction where needed

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Our indoor air quality surveys give offices, schools and public buildings a clear picture of their environment and a practical set of next steps. Contact us to arrange an assessment.