In West Quay Offices, we are obsessed with the excellent air quality. Indoor air quality is a major concern to businesses, owners, and employees because it can impact the health, comfort, well-being, and productivity of office occupants.
Indoor air quality is not a simple, easily defined concept like a desk or a leaky faucet. It is a constantly changing interaction of complex factors that affect the types, levels, and importance of pollutants in indoor environments. These factors include sources of pollutants or odours; design, maintenance, and operation of our ventilation systems; moisture and humidity; and occupant perceptions and susceptibilities. In addition, there are many other factors that affect comfort or perception of indoor air quality.
What does “indoor air quality” mean at our workspaces?
Indoor air quality issues result from interactions between building materials and furnishings, activities within the building, climate, and members working inside.
The Canadian Committee on Indoor Air Quality and Buildings states that a healthy indoor environment is one that contributes to productivity, comfort, and a sense of health and well-being. Good indoor air quality encompasses the following elements:
- is free from unacceptable levels of contaminants, such as chemicals and related products, gases, vapours, dust, moulds, fungi, bacteria, odours, etc.
- provides a comfortable indoor environment including temperature, humidity, air circulation, sufficient outdoor air intake, etc.
Maintaining excellent air quality requires effort by both the building staff and occupants.
The Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has a fantastic article regarding indoor air quality at workplaces if you want to read it.
Where can you see our indoor air quality measurements?
We are so proud of our well-maintained results, and we run a transparent office space for you. We measure major air quality factors in our office space every 10 minutes and display them for all our members in our Member’s Portal. Anyone can reach and see measurements of the air they breathe in our workspaces.
Visit Member’s Portal and click on Building on the left side menu.
What do we measure?
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
CO2 is a colourless, odourless gas that is produced whenever people exhale or burn fossil fuels.
It is also a by-product of many office activities and equipment, including photocopiers, 3D printers, and computers. Since we breathe out carbon dioxide gas, it is present in all indoor environments, and we are one of the biggest sources of it.
Decision-making is an essential part of business. With high levels of CO2 in the workplace, workers are slower to respond to daily challenges, which greatly reduces productivity. It also means virus transmission is more likely due to a lack of fresh oxygen.
CO2 levels should not exceed 1,000 parts per million (ppm). And while a “dangerous” level of CO2 is much higher—around 40,000 ppm—anything above 800 ppm significantly affects cognitive function and decision-making.
You can see CO2 readings in West Quay Offices live on our member’s portal. Tests update every 10 minutes with real-time metrics.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are chemicals that are emitted from different products, including cleaning materials, printers, paints, and stationery such as glues. At high levels, they can have serious health effects.
Airborne chemicals (VOCs) consist of many substances of varying toxicity. However, there should be less than 250 ppb of any one chemical in an average indoor environment.
Airborne chemicals can cause eyes, nose, and throat irritation. This can cause occupants to become less satisfied with their workspace. There is even a name for this phenomenon—sick building syndrome.
Given that many VOCs are odourless and some have health effects at very low concentrations, regular VOC testing is crucial, and West Quay Office offers these tests live and transparently.
You can see VOC readings in West Quay Offices live on our member’s portal.
Benefits of VOC Testing
- Peace of Mind: Know exactly if there are chemicals in our office air.
- Improved Health: Reduced health risks associated with VOC exposure, preventing potential chronic health issues.
- Enhanced Productivity: Improved cognitive function and reduced absenteeism among coworkers by ensuring a healthier indoor environment.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
Particulate matter is a range of particles of dust, dirt, and liquids that become suspended in the air. Some of these are large enough to see, like smoke, smog, or soot.
However, the most harmful are smaller, invisible particles. Helpfully, particulate matter is categorized by size. PM2.5, for example, has a diameter of less than 2.5 microns. PM2.5 (also known as fine particles) can get into your lungs and even your bloodstream. Simply put, the healthier the air, the fewer PMs in the workplace.
Metals, combustion particles, organic compounds, and other materials make up both types of particulate matter.
Indoors, organic compounds can also come from heating your food in the microwave, smelly food, cleaning with chemicals, perfumes, and any odour you may produce.
Particulate matter can cause numerous respiratory problems, including asthma attacks, bronchitis, and difficulty breathing. It can also worsen existing medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Any levels of PM2.5 below 12 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) are considered “safe.” At levels of 35 µg/m³, particulate matter is considered highly unsafe. Long-term exposure to levels as low as 2.5 µg/m³ has been linked to health problems, so the lower, the better.
In 2021 the World Health Organization did update its guidelines on this pollutant. Now, the recommended limit for PM2.5 is 5 µg/m3 in terms of annual average concentrations. Average 24-hour exposure should not exceed 15 µg/m3 for more than three to four days a year.
While the Member’s portal does not display PM2.5 sensor readings, you can find those readings on the screens of our air purifiers throughout our workspace:
- Lounge Area
- Reception
- South Corridor
- North Corridor
- Large Meeting Room
- Small Meeting Room
During the day, you may see high ratings in these air purifiers. Do not panic if the high rating is associated with an odour such as food or perfumes. The air purifier will effectively remove these odours using its HEPA filters. Learn more about our air purifiers and what they do by visiting this link.
We recycle the air in Meeting Rooms after and before each meeting.
We also equip each meeting room with its own air purifier and run a purification cycle after each meeting so you can breathe your own purified air.
We have provided a guideline on which foods to avoid and bring when working at West Quay Offices. We have stickers on our microwave that indicate which foods should not be heated, as certain types of food can release odours and gases that our air purifiers may not be able to adequately remove.
Temperature
If the temperature is too low or too high, it can lead to headaches, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. In extreme cases, it can lead to hypothermia or heat stroke.
Equipment is also sensitive to temperature changes. Particularly, computers require a specific temperature range to operate effectively. If the temperature gets too high, computers can overheat and break down.
WorkSafeBC does not specify a certain temperature; instead, they refer to the comfort range created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. Whenever practicable, an office should be kept in the following range:
| Season | Humidity | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 30% | 23°C to 27°C |
| 50% | 23°C to 26°C | |
| 60% | 23°C to 26°C | |
| Winter | 30% | 20°C to 24°C |
| 50% | 20°C to 24°C | |
| 60% | 20°C to 23°C |
Source: BC Occupational Health and Safety, Indoor Air Quality
CSA Z412-17 Office Ergonomics—An Application Standard for Workplace Ergonomics states the following recommendations:
| Summer | The ideal office temperature is around 22°C, with a temperature range of 20-23.5°C acceptable. |
| Winter | The ideal office temperature is around 22°C with a temperature range of 20-23.5°C acceptable. |
The table below illustrates the strong effects on comfort and productivity due to temperature differences:
| Ambient temperature | ||
| 24°C | People are hot; they get lethargic and somnolent. | |
| 22°C | The temperature is ideal for sedentary people year-round. | |
| 21°C | Temperature that suits the environment for intellectual work. | |
| 18°C | Physically inactive people start to shiver, and those who move feel good. | |
In West Quay Offices, we target a temperature of 22.5°C with the thresholds of 21.5°C to 23.5°C during winter months. West Quay Offices has 6 x HVAC units; we measure all areas with over 40 temperature sensors split in each room and public area. Our custom smart office system makes calculations and adjusts air conditioning using readings from sensors, presence, and habits of our members.
You can see temperature readings of all our public areas on our member’s portal. If you have a private office, you can also read temperature and humidity from the sensor at your office too.
Humidity
According to studies, low humidity levels are one of the most common complaints among office workers and have been found to increase viral risk. Keeping track of humidity levels is crucial to controlling indoor air quality.
The ideal relative humidity for an office environment is between 40% and 45%. If the air is too dry, it can cause static electricity, drying out mucous membranes, and exacerbating respiratory problems. If the air is too humid, it can encourage the growth of mould and dust mites—both of which can cause respiratory problems.
High humidity can also damage equipment. For instance, condensation—the accumulation of water vapour on cold surfaces—can cause damage to computers. And if an office holds terabytes worth of on-premises data, high levels of humidity compromise the security of that data.
You can see humidity readings of all our public areas on our member’s portal. If you have a private office, you can also read temperature and humidity from the sensor at your office too.
Air pressure
Air pressure is a part of our everyday lives, yet little is certain about its effects on people at work. However, scientific evidence suggests it may affect health and well-being.
It’s important to measure air pressure in buildings and offices because an imbalance can cause discomfort to workers inside. A phenomenon known as negative pressure occurs when the air pressure outside a building exceeds that inside.
Research indicates that air pressure affects health and well-being, but scientists disagree on the exact mechanism. For instance, theories suggest that alterations in air pressure could potentially cause arthritis and joint pain, but the interdependence of air pressure with other weather factors such as temperature and humidity makes it challenging to identify the precise cause.
You can see our indoor air pressure readings in West Quay Offices live on our Member’s portal.
Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring, colourless, odourless, tasteless gas that is radioactive.
It occurs naturally throughout Canada; however, there are some regions where it is more prevalent, such as some parts of British Columbia.
When present, radon tends to accumulate in enclosed spaces such as homes and buildings. Overall, Health Canada estimates that approximately 7% of homes have high levels of radon.
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking, accounting for 16% of lung cancer deaths, or 3,200 deaths in Canada annually.
The current Canadian guideline for radon in indoor air is 200 Bq/m3.
With radon, there is no set ‘optimal’ level (the lower the measurement, the lower the risk). Still, the World Health Organization states that levels below 100 Bq/m3 or 2.7 pCi/L are not a cause for concern.
You can see our live radon readings in West Quay Offices live on our Member’s portal. Ensuring that our workspaces do not trap excess radon is key to ensuring safety for all of our members and visitors.
Read more about radon at Health Canada.
Optimal air quality levels
Quick cheat sheet:
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | Below 800 ppm |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) | 0-250 ppb |
| Temperature | 20°C to 24°C (winter) 23°C to 26°C (summer) |
| Humidity | 40-60% (40-45% optimal for office) |
| Radon | Below 100 Bq/m3 |
| Differential pressure | 2.5-20 Pa |
| Particulate matter (PM) | Below 5 µg/m3 (annual average) |
What you can do to protect indoor air quality in West Quay Offices?
- Keep the space you work in clean: A clean workplace has lower levels of mould, dust, allergens, and contaminants that could spread through the air. You can find cleaning supplies in the kitchen. The less you use chemicals, the fewer VOCs in our air.
- Recycle in the appropriate bins: Improperly placed organic waste immediately emits unpleasant odours. Read more about recycling in here.
- Eat any wet food in our dining area: Our dining area and kitchen are surrounded with carbon filters, so we stop most of the food smell from travelling all around our workplaces. This will also protect our office hygiene.
- Choose your food wisely: Avoid bringing certain types of food and heating them in the microwave, as they may disrupt the air quality. Please learn more in this article.
- When ordering food, instruct the delivery service to place your food in the closet outside. Please read instructions if you need.
- Clean/remove your old food in the fridge when leaving.
- Do not store food in private offices: They will start to smell foul in some hours and produce PMs in the air.
- Avoid the use of air fresheners, cleaning products, and fragrances that have a pine or citrus scent because they can react with ozone to form particles and formaldehyde.
