Air quality definition: Measuring indoor and outdoor pollution

Every year, nearly 7 million people die prematurely as a result of poor air quality, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 

That number can be dramatically reduced, but only if we all come together to improve air quality indoors and outdoors. 

The first step in this mission is agreeing upon an air quality definition, which is what we're breaking down in this article. We'll also show you how improving air quality will enhance the quality of life for employees and take your business to new heights. 

When you think of pollution, you might conjure up images of smog-filled urban environments or vast outdoor garbage dumps. But believe it or not, indoor air is often far worse than the air outside. 

Think about how much time you spend inside, either in your home or at your workplace. If there are dangerous particles or fumes in the air, you could be putting yourself, your loved ones, or your staff members in serious danger. 

Exposure to air pollution is deadly. As we mentioned above, 7 million deaths can be attributed to poor air quality each year. The top pollution-related causes of death are strokes, heart attacks, and lung infections, according to the WHO. 

In the US alone, there are 131.2 million people living in places with dangerously low air quality, according to the American Lung Association. That's nearly 40% of the population. 

So, the big question is: What is the definition of air quality? And how do we reduce pollution indoors and outdoors, to reduce the harms of poor air quality? 

The first step to reducing air pollution is understanding how it's measured. Unfortunately, a standard measurement for indoor air pollution is hard to put together, because pollutants change significantly from industry to industry. On top of this, many of the most dangerous indoor air pollutants are invisible to the naked eye, such as: 

• Wood dust
• Metal dust
• Rubber dust
• Plastic dust
• Concrete dust

All businesses are exposed to at least one of these pollutants or others that can harm the human body. From small offices to enormous manufacturing facilities, air quality is an important issue. 

To measure air quality, we use what's known as the Air Quality Index, or AQI. This scale indicates the quality of air in any given place day to day.

The AQI helps us understand how clean or polluted the air is, and how risky it may be to breathe. It shows what the negative health consequences could be if you were to breathe in the air for a few hours or days.

What type of pollution does the AQI measure?

The air quality index looks at the density of four air pollutants, which are regulated by the Clean Air Act:

• Particle pollution
• Ground-level ozone
• Carbon monoxide
• Sulfur dioxide

The AQI runs on a scale from 0 to 500, with higher numbers signifying greater potential health risks. 

Using the scale, we can classify air quality into three groups:

1. Values under 50: indicate high-quality air that has little to no harmful impact on public health.

2. AQI values of 50 - 100: typically indicate air that is safe and breathable, despite some pollutants. 

3. AQI values above 100: indicate polluted air, with higher numbers showing greater threats to public health. Any AQI value 300 and above represents air quality that is so polluted, it's highly likely to lead to serious health issues. 

The AQI gives us a good starting place for an air quality definition, but how do we measure indoor air? For that, we turn to the WHO once again, which sets guidelines and standards for indoor air quality. This includes guidance around some of the most common and threatening pollutants, including:

• Benzene
• Carbon monoxide
• Formaldehyde
• Naphthalene
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Fine particles (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀)

The pollutants in your workplace will largely depend on your industry. If you work in a production facility or warehouse, you're at a high risk of inhaling concrete dust; this is formed from the wear and tear of floors. Rubber dust is another serious threat, which is generated by tire friction, for example from forklifts. Other threats come from airborne particles like wood dust, plastic dust, and metal dust. Once breathed in, they can cause a whole host of symptoms, including: 

• Dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Blocked sinuses
• Hypersensitivity and allergies

These symptoms are very similar to what people experience when they have the flu or a cold, which makes it even harder to understand whether air quality is the root issue. However, if workers find that their symptoms begin shortly after they arrive at work and clear up once they finish for the day, that's a red flag that air pollution is the root cause. You should also check indoor air quality if more than one employee is experiencing the same symptom(s). 

Failing to deal with poor indoor quality can have dire consequences. Employees could develop respiratory diseases, heart diseases or even cancer. These deadly illnesses may only show up after years of exposure, so it's essential to deal with the problem now, before it's too late. 

Though the AQI gives us an idea of how clean outdoor air is, it's not a reliable metric for indoor air. However, there are actions you can take to improve air quality at your business. 

You may already have some measures in place, like providing masks to your employees or using extraction and ventilation systems. These methods can certainly help, but they fall short of offering complete protection from indoor air pollution. 

There is only one solution that can resolve the air pollution problems at your business: an industrial air purifier. Zehnder Clean Air Solutions offers state-of-the art air purification systems that are cost effective and easy to install. If you want a simple and effective way to clean the air, look no further than our air purifiers. 

Want to learn more? Our team is happy to show you the benefits you can expect with clean air:

• Healthier, happier employees
• A more productive workforce 
• A glowing business reputation 

Get in touch with one of our clean air experts today for a consultation, and take the first big step toward a new air quality definition for your business.