You’ve probably heard of the EPA warning that indoor air is worse than outdoors—sometimes as much as (exhale slowly) five times more toxic.  They’re not kidding.  Outdoors, the air is free to circulate, oxygen abounds, pollutants disperse, and nature generally takes it course.  Once you get indoors though, the trapped air contains a cocktail of harmful chemicals that just linger and accumulate there, waiting to be inhaled.

Insist on the best air quality for your office. Image from Greenbiz.com

Sick building syndrome is a very real concern among office workers who spend a good deal of time inside buildings that are poorly ventilated and built with materials which offgas harmful toxins.  By changing a few things around, you can freshen and purify the air inside your office.  And you won’t ever need to mask it with chemical air fresheners.

Here are ten ways to do that:

1.  Opt for non-toxic products and materials.  Beware of VOCs (or volatile organic compounds) like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde which are harmful toxins eventually offgassed or released into the air.

• Use low-VOC paints.  They might be costlier than regular paints, but they’re safer to breathe so they’re worth it.
• Also use environment-friendly wood stains, varnishes, waxes.
• Particle boards are notoriously-laden with formaldehyde, so insist on eco-friendly alternatives.

2. Use green cleaning products.  No, we’re not going to ask you to use baking soda and vinegar, although that’s great too.  The sad misconception is that for something to be truly clean and germ-free, only toxic chemical cleaners can be relied on to do the job.

• Green cleaning products (look for the Green Seal and Environmental Choice logos) are as effective as their more toxic counterparts.  No need to expose employees and the cleaning crew to harmful chemicals.

3. Open the windows.  Nothing beats a blast of fresh air.  Sadly some buildings don’t even have windows, or if they do, they’re not meant to be opened.  Insist on windows that can actually be opened and periodically let in the air to ventilate the room naturally.

4. Eliminate carpeting.  Carpets harbor dust, dirt, dust mites, dander, and other allergens—it’s literally a minefield of germs.  Plus, they’re a real pain to clean, unlike bare hard surface floors which only need a good, thorough sweep and mopping.

5. Say No to toxic pesticides.   The trouble with pesticides is that they don’t discriminate.  You get rid of a roach or an army of ants with an insect spray, but you also poison the air in the process.  At best, the triumph is a short-lived one—cockroaches have splendid immune system and ants will eventually find their way in again.  Integrated Pest Management (IPM) advises on non-toxic, common sense ways in dealing with pests.

• Block holes and cracks in the wall that serve as entry points.
• Eliminate the food source of the critters.  Mind every dropped crumb on the floor or spilled juice, etc.
• Empty the trash daily.
• Check for leaks producing moisture, which pests thrive on.
• Use bait traps.
• Chemical pesticides should only be used a last resort.

6. Get a little help from plants.  In gradeschool, we were taught that plants absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale, and give off oxygen that we need.  It’s a beautiful give-and-take scenario.  Plus, plants lend a pleasant, cozy feeling to any room. Here’s where it gets better though: according to a NASA study on plants best suited for space stations—there are specific plants that give off more oxygen than others, and plants more efficient in absorbing airborne toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene.  Examples are:

Mother-in-law's Tongue, a veritable oxygen factory. Image from firstclassart.com

• Peace Lily
• Spider Plant
• Mother-in-law’s Tongue
• Dracaena

Check here for a more comprehensive list of air-purifying plants.

7. Make your office a No-Smoking zone.  Strictly no workarounds here since there is simply no safe level of second-hand smoke.  If employees need to have their cigarette break, they can always do it outdoors.

8. Check air quality.  Beware of toxic gases such as radon and carbon monoxide.

• Test for radon.  This gas naturally occurs in soil, is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, yet a leading cause of lung cancer, second to smoking.
• Get a carbon monoxide detector.  Like radon, CO is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas that should have no place in your office.

9. Check for humidity.  Leaks in the roof, walls, and floor bring moisture indoors which is conducive to molds and mildew—certainly not something you’d want to breathe.

• Regularly clean your dehumidifiers and air-conditioners.
• Install a hygrometer which maintains humidity levels between 30{e3829ec1db02d54faaf9fa2de0d48db26af01d7a7944a63c3b26976124791cab} to 50{e3829ec1db02d54faaf9fa2de0d48db26af01d7a7944a63c3b26976124791cab}.
• Ventilate the bathroom.
• Fix all leaks as soon as possible.     

10. Consider using Zeolite.  This amazing volcanic rock absorbs nitrogen and releases oxygen in turn.  It’s a cheap, non-toxic, and effective way to absorb odors and purify the air.  Zeolite lasts for years, and just needs to be occasionally “recharged” under the sun when it becomes saturated.