Common products that most people use release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, including items you probably have in your commercial building. Repeated exposure may cause nausea, respiratory issues, lung damage and even cancer. Take a look at your commercial space in Boston, MA, to see if these items are compromising your air quality:
Cleaning Products
Heed the warnings on cleaning products. Bleach, detergents, floor polish, disinfectants, air fresheners and similar items contain VOCs that contaminate the air. Signs of exposure include nausea, vomiting, skin inflammation, chemical burns as well as eye, nose or throat irritation, which could worsen if you don’t seek medical care.
To protect yourself, wear safety gear while using cleaning products. Ventilate the area, and never use these products for any purpose other than what the manufacturer recommends. Otherwise, you could cause chemical reactions that produce dangerous gases.
Paint
Refreshing your business with a new coat of paint releases VOCs, such as benzene, chloride and formaldehyde, into the air. Dry paint isn’t safe, either. As the paint dries, it continues exposing you to VOCs for around six months.
When you paint your commercial space, wear safety gear and ventilate the room by opening doors and running an exhaust fan. Afterward, contact professionals for HVAC maintenance to keep the air clean.
Office Equipment
Printers and copiers are office essentials, but toner contaminates the air with particles and VOCs. If you’re worried about your air quality, check your toner to see if it has high VOC levels. Adhesives may also contain VOCs, so make sure you’re using a safe product if you bind papers in your business.
Reducing unnecessary printouts and communicating electronically as much as possible also helps reduce VOC pollution. Plus, you’ll save money on toner and paper.
Contact our team at Sagamore for indoor air quality solutions that remove VOCs and create a safe work environment. Our Active Radiant Catalysis (ARC) technology can eliminate over 99% of contaminants.
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