The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new focus on workplace air quality. Employees are now paying closer attention to things like ventilation systems and air filtration systems. In some cases, they are even bringing their own air purifiers to work. This increased awareness of air quality is likely to have a lasting impact on the way we think about our work environments.
Office buildings and other workplaces were designed with little thought given to air quality. Ventilation was often an afterthought, and air filtration was seldom considered at all. As a result, many workplaces are now recognized as being potential sources of indoor air pollution. In fact, the World Health Organization has classified poor air quality as a risk factor for a variety of health problems, including heart disease and respiratory illnesses.