Officials in every U.S. state and jurisdiction have now ended, or announced an end, to their indoor universal masking requirements. And by the end of March 2022, there will be no more statewide or school mask mandates in effect.
The mass ending of mask requirements comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its recommendations for mask use and unveiled their new plan for determining COVID-19 risk in communities.
However, the air we breathe inside at work, school, and home was in crisis long before COVID-19 struck. According to the EPA, Americans, on average, spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.
Cleaning air that is shared with the right solutions can maintain high levels of indoor air quality to ensure not only physical health, but also mental performance, comfort, safety, and quality of life for employees and visitors.
Businesses that prioritize clean air future-proof their success from indoor air pollution and airborne viruses
And with the 74% of U.S. adults saying they feel comfortable going out to eat at a restaurant, which is only up 1 percentage point on March 6, 2022, it’s imperative that restaurants, hospitals, homes, schools, and so many other spaces do their best to ensure cleaner air so that people not only feel safer but physically are safer with or without a mask.
By sanitizing the indoor air to ensure it is free of harmful particulates, fumes, germs, and bacteria, visitors will feel reassured that their health and wellbeing is valued. Businesses will also have an advantage over their competitors, setting them apart when attracting customers.
Here’s a few ways to help improve the indoor air quality of your business:
1. Keep Allergens at Bay
Allergens, which to many may seem like a minor inconvenience, are increasingly contributing to a global respiratory health crisis. Dust, pollen, and pet dander, as well as mold from our bathrooms and airborne particles from food preparation or waste, exacerbate respiratory and sinus-related issues such as allergies and asthma, as well as causing shortness of breath.
Aldehydes and VOCs that are often found in carpets can cause respiratory symptoms among office workers as well as impaired productivity. All carpets should be cleaned with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter twice a week to help reduce allergens and pollutants.
2. Maintain HVAC System Regularly
Toxic fumes, such as toluene from vehicle exhaust emissions, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) fumes, and gases from industries make their way indoors, contaminating our indoor air and have been linked to asthma and skin reactions, such as allergic contact dermatitis and urticaria. Plus, an increasing body of evidence reveals the deadly nature of our unwitting coexistence with indoor air pollution. Once inhaled, ultrafine particles cannot be expelled from the body. They make their way into the bloodstream where they cause long-term damage and are now known to be carriers of infectious viruses.
Regular maintenance of HVAC systems in your organization is crucial to ensuring the air is clean and fresh. Filters should be replaced on a timely basis, and units serviced to ensure that harmful biological pollutants are not being blown into the room.
3. Install a Trusted Air Purification System
It seems natural to assume that the air inside is cleaner than the air outside. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. As an increasingly indoor species, air pollution is nevertheless the cause of around seven million premature deaths each year as a result of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
While many traditional air purifiers may filter allergens and neutralize some gases and odors, not all have the capabilities to effectively decontaminate the air. A clinically tested and proven air purification system is essential to create a healthy indoor environment.
Only the NQ patented Air Purification units kill airborne pathogens in a single pass and transform any room into a germ-fee space. NQ’s systems are the peerless solution for pure, safe air.
And when you become a valued NQ customer, you will receive a “Pure, Safe Indoor Air” shield decal exclusively for NQ customers. This shield was designed to let everyone know that your organization has taken the steps to ensure their safety and health by providing clean indoor air through our proven air purification systems.
By proudly displaying the NQ shield at the entrance of your establishment, you are:
- Sharing your commitment to upholding the cleanest indoor air quality
- Showing employees you are committed to their safety
- Providing visitors with the peace of mind to enter
- Gaining a competitive edge for your organization
Talk to an NQ Air Purification System Specialist today to learn more about creating a healthier indoor environment for your business today.