by Zoa Virginia Wilson

Created on: August 18, 2008   Last Updated: May 25, 2012

How healthy is your office? Almost every office is faced with health challenges today. These challenges range from sitting for too long in front of our computer, to being exposed to too many elements in our office air. Most of us are unaware that health challenges are even lurking in our office air. Ironically though for most, awareness only takes flight after we have begun the descent into a real, health care issue.

The quality of air, manufactured in offices, is a front runner for health challenges. Poor air quality inside the office can be created in a number of manners. One main manner is that, multi-level office buildings, tend to be tightly sealed. This allows for a building to be energy efficient. However, the circulating systems incorporated, usually contain more than just stale air. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (HVAC) blow out environmental pollutants, repeatedly. Dirt, dust and chemicals are therefore, diffused into our office atmosphere. These toxins are absorbed through our skin and also enter through our passageways as we breathe.

The health challenge here, is that bacteria, viruses, and mold are a primary causes of cellular damage and tissue deterioration. Air borne toxins serve as an enormous challenge to our immune system. The reason for this is that once elemental toxins are absorbed into the body, they can mimic our hormones. Accordingly, they are able to interact with our immune system, disrupting our endocrine function.

Although you may not be able to see, smell or feel the microscopic molecules that pollute your office air, these microbes infiltrate your nasal and throat passages which lead to your lungs. As you inhale through your nose and mouth, dangerous pathogens also cling to the largest organ on our body; our skin. Our skin breathes through the millions of tiny pores that exist on our surface.

Humidity, temperature and the mechanism of circulation can influence the quality of our office air. For example, an excess amount of humidity will create an environment for microorganisms to grow and take root. On the other hand, very dry air creates a build up of static. When this occurs, toxins can become balanced in mid-air which are more likely to be inhaled. Symptoms like headache, dry nose and throat, or dizziness may occur.

Our office air becomes even more hazardous to our health through a process known as out-gassing. Out-gassing occurs as traditional office furniture, particle boarding, or carpeting installed, releases

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