Do You Know About Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in the Workplace?


 What is Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)?

(CDC, 2022) refers to Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) as the quality of indoor conditions in a building that can impact the health of its occupants. This includes factors such as air quality, lighting, and moisture levels.

So Indoor Environmental Quality or IEQ can refer to the quality of the indoor environment in buildings, which includes factors such as air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, acoustics, ergonomics, etc.


 Is IEQ important to the Organization or Workplace?

Certainly, IEQ is very important to organizations and workplaces as it can have a significant impact on the health, well-being, and productivity of employees.

Poor IEQ can lead to discomfort, illness, and reduced productivity, which can in turn affect the overall performance of the organization.

On the other hand, good IEQ can help to create a comfortable and healthy workplace, leading to better employee satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, and improved productivity.

Additionally, promoting good IEQ can also demonstrate the organization's commitment to employee health and well-being, which can contribute to a positive company culture and reputation.

 

(Kumar and Fisk, 2002) describe that IEQ substantially affects health, satisfaction, absences of the employees and performance and productivity of the workplace. Poor IEQ increases health issues, dissatisfaction and absences among employees and leads to a decrease in the performance and productivity of the workplace.

 

Impacts of Poor IEQ in the Workplace


 

Poor IEQ may cause many negative impacts such as,

Ø Health problems:

Poor air quality, inadequate ventilation, and exposure to chemicals and pollutants can cause a range of health problems, such as respiratory issues, allergies, and headaches.

 Ø Reduced productivity:

Discomfort and poor lighting can lead to fatigue, decreased concentration, and reduced productivity.

 Ø Increased absenteeism:

Health problems caused by poor IEQ can lead to increased absenteeism, as employees may need to take time off work to recover from illnesses.

 Ø Increased energy costs:

Poor IEQ can result in higher energy costs, as heating, cooling, and ventilation systems must work harder to compensate for inadequate or inefficient systems.

 Ø Damage to building materials:

Damp conditions and high humidity can lead to the growth of mould and other fungi, which can damage building materials and lead to costly repairs.

 

Techniques to Improve IEQ

(Ivancevich, 2008) describes the solution for IEQ issues including a combination of the removal of pollutants and modification of ventilation by increasing rates and air distribution. Several techniques are,

·       Cleaning the air.

·       Installing particle control devices.

·       Banning smoking.

·       Giving education on IEQ.

·       Improve the communication on IEQ.

 

Organizations can use the following techniques to overcome issues of poor IEQ by implementing the following techniques in their workplace. These techniques are more useful to improve the environmental quality to make employees more satisfied and comfortable in order to improve productivity and performance and also reduce absences.

 Ø Ventilation:

Proper ventilation is necessary to maintain good indoor air quality. Adequate ventilation can help to remove pollutants, moisture, and odour from the indoor air.

 Ø Air Filtration:

High-efficiency air filters can help to remove pollutants from indoor air. Air filters should be regularly cleaned or replaced to maintain their effectiveness.

 Ø Humidity Control:

Maintaining a proper level of humidity can help to prevent mould and mildew growth, reduce dust mites, and improve indoor air quality.

 Ø Source Control:

Eliminating or minimizing the source of indoor air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, dust, and chemicals can help to improve indoor air quality.

 Ø Use of Low-emission Materials:

Using low-emission materials such as paints, adhesives, and flooring can help to reduce the number of indoor air pollutants.

Ø Indoor Plants:

Indoor plants can help to improve indoor air quality by removing pollutants and increasing oxygen levels.

Ø Proper Cleaning:

Regular cleaning can help to remove dust, dirt, and other pollutants from indoor surfaces.

Ø Lighting:

Proper lighting can help to improve the indoor environment by reducing glare, improving visual comfort, and promoting a sense of well-being.

 Ø Acoustic Comfort:

Noise control can help to improve the indoor environment by reducing noise pollution and promoting acoustic comfort.

 Ø Thermal Comfort:

Maintaining a comfortable temperature can help to improve the indoor environment by promoting occupant comfort and productivity.

                              

Conclusion

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is a critical factor in maintaining the health and well-being of occupants in buildings, as people spend a significant amount of time indoors. Poor IEQ can lead to a range of health issues such as headaches, allergies, respiratory problems, and fatigue. It can also impact productivity, learning, and overall quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to maintain good IEQ through proper ventilation, air filtration, humidity control, source control, use of low-emission materials, indoor plants, proper cleaning, lighting, acoustic comfort, and thermal comfort. By improving IEQ, we can create a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment for occupants.

 

References

Abdulaali, H.S., Hanafiah, M.M., Usman, I.M.S., Nizam, N.U.M., Abdulhasan, M.J., (2020) A review on green hotel rating tools, indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and human comfort. International Journal of  Advanced Science and Technology, 29 (3) 128-157 Available from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hayder-Abdulaali/publication/338833945_A_Review_on_Green_Hotel_Rating_Tools_Indoor_Environmental_Quality_IEQ_and_Human_Comfort/links/5ee5180d458515814a5e56c0/A-Review-on-Green-Hotel-Rating-Tools-Indoor- Environmental-Quality-IEQ-and-Human-Comfort.pdf [Accessed 13 April 2023]

CDC (2022) Indoor environmental quality. [online] Atlanta: CDC. Available from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/default.html#:~:text=Indoor%20environmental%20quality%20(IEQ)%20refers,air%20quality%2C%20and%20damp%20conditions [Accessed 13 April 2023]

Ivancevich, J.M. (2008) Human resource management.10th edition. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill.

Kumar, S., Fisk, W.T. (2002) IEQ and the impact of building occupants. ASHRAE Journal, 44 (4) 50-52. Available from https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/803790-2rDavD/ [Accessed 13 April 2023]

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Comments

  1. Tharanga Jayasundara14 April 2023 at 08:17

    Good choices and these crucial health advantages also lead to increases in workplace productivity. Asthma, respiratory allergies, stress, depression, and shorter work hours can all be prevented by improving indoor air quality. A content and healthy staff will undoubtedly be more efficient and creative.

    Well Done !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gayantha Costa19 April 2023 at 01:01

      Yes, Tharanga. Good health is a very important fact for any organization which can change the way of organization at any time. The best example is the Covid-19 pandemic. So all organizations should keep strong attention to keeping the IEQ at high levels to prevent the bad impact as mentioned by you. Good IEQ is a must to keep employees in the organization in good health in order to improve productivity and performance. Thanks for your valuable comment.

      Delete
  2. Gamini Edirisinghe14 April 2023 at 10:19

    Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) refers to the conditions inside a building that affect the health, comfort, and productivity of its occupants. These conditions include air quality, temperature, humidity, lighting, noise, and ergonomics. it is clear that the IEQ of a building can have a significant impact on the organization that occupies it. By ensuring a comfortable and healthy indoor environment, organizations can improve the health and well-being of their employees, increase productivity and morale, attract and retain talent, and protect their reputation. nice article ...!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gayantha Costa19 April 2023 at 01:09

      Yes, Gamini you got the point correctly. IEQ is very important in any organization, which can gain amazing results by implementing IEQ strategies in the right way. Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
  3. Tharanga Wanigasundara21 April 2023 at 02:51

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tharanga Wanigasundara21 April 2023 at 02:52

    Good IEQ in the workplace is essential for the health, comfort, and productivity of employees, and building owners and managers should take steps to ensure that the indoor environment is conducive to a healthy and productive workforce.
    Well done.

    ReplyDelete

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