Controlling indoor air pollutants is key to the health and comfort of building occupants. Research continues to show that poor air quality can impact everything from focus and productivity to employee absenteeism and long-term health outcomes. Common concerns include poor air circulation, dust, chemical odors, and exposure to airborne bacteria and viruses.
Surveys in recent years — including one by Ambius — have shown that 74% of North Americans are concerned about indoor air quality, with nearly 75% of office workers reporting that poor air quality disrupted their ability to focus. Top issues included poor circulation, dust, and chemical odors. Alarmingly, nearly half of U.S. respondents reported taking a day off work because of illness related to air quality in their building.
Indoor air studies have long confirmed that pollutants can trigger headaches, dizziness, congestion, and dry throat, and increase the spread of bacteria and viruses. Long-term exposure is linked to chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease, and even premature death. For example, research from institutions such as Boston College’s Global Observatory on Planetary Health highlights the ongoing health toll of air pollution, which contributes to thousands of deaths annually in Massachusetts and beyond.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters More Today
Good air quality is a key component of a healthy indoor environment. Monitoring and managing indoor air pollutants has become even more important in recent decades due to:
- Energy-efficient construction that seals buildings tighter, reducing natural air exchange.
- Wildfire smoke and outdoor air pollution that can infiltrate indoor spaces.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products, furnishings, and building materials.
- Airborne viruses and heightened awareness of infection control in shared spaces.
- Increased time indoors, with employees, students, and residents spending up to 90% of their day inside.
Steps to Remove Indoor Air Pollutants and Create Cleaner Air
1. Assess and Inspect Systems
Start with a thorough evaluation of ventilation, filtration, and air cleaning systems. Commissioning, testing, and balancing verify that systems function as designed. Create a plan that includes evaluating current air quality, identifying improvement options, and outlining potential system upgrades along with routine HVAC maintenance.
2. Optimize Fresh Air Ventilation
Introduce and filter outdoor air to dilute pollutants and reduce infection risk. Operate systems consistently during occupied hours and adjust outdoor air intake based on thermal comfort, humidity, outdoor air quality, and energy use.
3. Enhance Filtration
Install the highest-rated MERV filters your system can accommodate, and consider portable air cleaners for added protection in high-use or sensitive areas.
4. Communicate with Occupants
Transparency builds trust. Share your air quality plans and improvements with building occupants to help alleviate anxiety and demonstrate commitment to a safe, healthy environment.
The LC Anderson Difference
As awareness of indoor air pollutants continues to grow, building occupants expect a safe, healthy, and comfortable environment. You can rely on LC Anderson for professional HVAC solutions and planned maintenance programs that extend equipment life, retain performance and efficiency, and improve the quality of your indoor air.
Our services include:
- Air quality and mold testing
- Air duct cleaning and mold remediation
- Remote building and systems monitoring
- Comprehensive planned maintenance programs
Contact us today to schedule an inspection or learn more about improving indoor air quality in your facility.
Next, optimize fresh air ventilation to promote healthy indoor air and control infection by filtering incoming air, running mechanical systems during occupied hours, and increasing outdoor air as needed while considering thermal comfort, humidity, outdoor air quality, and energy use.
The third step is to enhance filtration by installing the highest-rated MERV filters that your system can accommodate and considering portable air cleaners.
Finally, communicate your plan and the improvements with your building occupants to help alleviate their stress and anxiety about the potential air quality issues.
Your building occupants depend on you for a safe, healthy, and comfortable environment. And you can rely on LC Anderson for systems and planned maintenance programs that extend equipment life, retain performance and efficiency, and improve the quality of your indoor air.
Additional services we perform include air quality and mold testing, air duct cleaning and mold remediation, remote building and systems monitoring, and planned maintenance programs. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an inspection.
Updated August 2025: This article has been refreshed to reflect ongoing best practices for controlling indoor air pollutants.
