The Economic and Health Impact of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

MISSING WORK AND KIDS MISSING SCHOOL? IT MIGHT BE DUE TO POOR IAQ

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is more than just an inconvenience. It’s a hidden productivity killer, contributing to higher sick leave, increased complaints, and skyrocketing operational costs. The good news? Simple IAQ improvements like better ventilation and filtration can turn this trend around and help with managing your building’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO.)

KEY FINDINGS ON IAQ AND SICK LEAVE

Ventilation Rates
- Workspaces with higher ventilation rates (~50 cfm/person) had significantly lower rates of total and short-term sick leave compared to spaces with moderate ventilation (~25 cfm/person).
- Insufficient ventilation resulted in a 130% greater rate of total sick leave. Approximately 57% of sick leave in low-ventilation spaces was directly linked to poor ventilation.
Humidification Challenges
- Spaces with humidification systems saw a 96% increase in total sick leave, potentially due to heightened allergic reactions or respiratory illnesses caused by improper humidity management.
Economic Payoff
- Increasing ventilation rates costs about $80 per employee annually but yields savings of approximately $480 per employee annually in reduced sick leave.
- This results in a net savings of $400 per employee per year, demonstrating a strong return on investment.
- Nationally, doubling ventilation rates in offices could lead to potential savings of $15 billion annually.
IAQ Complaint Areas
- Workspaces with previous IAQ complaints experienced a 52% increase in short-term sick leave, highlighting the need for proactive IAQ management.

WHY IAQ MATTERS FOR YOUR SCHOOL OR BUSINESS

Investing in IAQ isn’t just about better air—it’s about creating a environment where students and employees feel healthier, take fewer sick days, and are more productive. With an ROI as clear as the air you’ll breathe, improving IAQ is a win for your people and your bottom line.

TAKE ACTION

Ask yourself: How healthy is your building’s air?

If higher sick leave and reduced productivity are hitting your bottom line, it’s time to consider the air you and your team are breathing. Let us help you transform your workplace with simple, impactful IAQ solutions that meet your TCO needs.

For a guide to help you develop an IAQ plan check out our other articles. https://bldgcontrols.com/iaq-program-for-schools/

Contact your BCS representative to explore more on Total Cost of Ownership and how we can support your financial and operational goals.