In late 2023, the UK Parliament published a document regarding indoor air quality, which has sparked a discussion in the boardrooms of many companies across the country.

The briefing document explains some of the pollutant sources that can cause issues, from building materials to heating appliances. It also suggests a few ways of dealing with poor indoor air quality, such as regular cleaning and improving ventilation.

The publication of this research briefing document – which covers the indoor air quality in schools, homes, workplaces and more – has prompted Health and Safety teams to start scrutinising the air quality in their offices.

There has been a big shift in mindset since the document was published in 2023, as we begin to research and understand the long-term health impacts of poor air quality on employees.

We spoke to Charlie Harris, co-founder of London cleaning firm The Clean Network, who noted a steep increase in businesses reaching out to them since this briefing document was released.

“We are pleased to see more and more companies beginning to care about the quality of the air in their offices,” says The Clean Network’s co-founder Charlie Harris.

“People are starting to understand how important the link between air quality and health is, and how keeping the office and their equipment clean can contribute.”

According to Health and Safety laws, the air quality in an office should be as good as, if not better than, the air quality outside.

Companies throughout London and across the UK have started to focus on optimising their offices’ indoor air quality and removing toxins from the air.

From cleaning air ducts and vents to adding plants and dehumidifiers to desks and rooms, businesses are finding a wide range of ways to achieve this.

Several studies have shown that air quality in offices can massively impact employees’ mental and physical health, as well as their output, and The Clean Network know this to be true.

“A lot of our clients report a shift in their employees’ mood and productivity when the office is clean and the air quality is good. After all, the whole ‘tidy space, tidy mind’ thing is a cliche for a reason,” Harris explains.

Both employee wellbeing and sustainability are increasingly central to business strategy, with ESG and other measures being put in place to motivate companies across the globe to prioritise the environment. As a result, office air quality is becoming a top priority for companies seeking to create a healthy and productive work environment.