Certainly a cleaner work environment helps productivity and employee well-being, but the notion that surface cleanliness on workstations and in breakrooms are the only sanitary issue leaves other office health concerns in the dark.

With little change to annual illnesses, research studies suggest we may be overlooking something more influential, and far more unavoidable – the air we breathe.

Airborne Viruses and Bacteria and Their Cost to the Workplace
Bacteria and viruses can travel through the air, causing diseases and worsening allergies or asthma(3). Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk(4). Five to twenty percent of the US population becomes ill from the influenza virus each year(1). For the workplace, that translates into over $220 billion every year that sick employees cost our economy from lost productivity(2).

The Air Filtration Solution
High-efficiency particulate absorption (True HEPA) filters have been clinically proven to be effective at reducing the concentration of airborne germs and allergens. Hospitals, clinics, airlines, and many other industries recognize the necessity to purify air and utilize True HEPA filtration technology to maintain the highest standards of indoor air quality. Using air purifiers designed for workplace environments like the Fellowes® AeraMax™ Air Purifiers can help minimize airborne germs in the office. AeraMax™ Air Purifiers are equipped with a True HEPA Filter that safely captures 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including pollen, ragweed and other allergens, viruses, germs, dust mites and mold spores. AeraMax™ is also extremely effective at removing influenza and cold viruses from indoor air(5).

Workplace air purifiers can also be helpful for removing odors without having to use harsh chemicals like commercial cleaners or air fresheners, which only mask odors with synthetic fragrances. Air purifiers like AeraMax™ have a carbon filter that effectively captures odors from the air without the need for chemicals.

Simply by adding the initiative of office air purification to regular workplace sanitation, you can help minimize germs and increase well-being and productivity.