Indoor air quality often goes unnoticed, yet it is crucial for your health and productivity, especially in workplaces such as schools, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities. Toxic gases lurking indoors can be detrimental to your well-being. This guide explores the most concerning gases and how to protect yourself and others from their harmful effects.
What are toxic gases, and why should you care about them indoors?
Toxic gases are harmful airborne substances that can have severe health implications when inhaled over a prolonged period. These gases originate from various sources, including appliances, outdoor pollution, and natural elements. We often don’t realise how dangerous these gases can be until they affect our health. Here’s why you should be concerned:
- Health risks – Prolonged exposure to toxic gases can lead to respiratory issues, heart disease, or even cancer.
- Productivity loss – Poor air quality in environments like offices and schools can cause fatigue, headaches, and reduced concentration, which can affect performance.
- Vulnerable populations – Children, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are more susceptible to the harmful effects of indoor air pollutants.
Which toxic gases are most commonly found indoors?
Commercial spaces can harbour a range of harmful gases that pose significant health risks if not properly managed. Identifying these gases and understanding their sources can help you take proactive measures to improve indoor air quality. Here are the most common toxic gases found in commercial environments:
Commercial spaces can harbour a range of harmful gases that pose significant health risks if not properly managed. Identifying these gases and understanding their sources can help you take proactive measures to improve indoor air quality. Here are the most common toxic gases found in commercial environments:
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
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- Source – Gas-powered appliances, heating systems, and poorly ventilated combustion equipment in commercial kitchens and mechanical rooms.
- Radon (Rn)
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- Source – Natural decay of uranium found in soil and rock beneath buildings, which can seep into basements and lower levels.
- Formaldehyde (CH₂O)
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- Source – Office furniture, construction materials, adhesives, and certain cleaning agents.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
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- Source – Paints, solvents, cleaning chemicals, carpets, and air fresheners commonly used in offices and retail spaces.
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)
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- Source – Gas-powered stoves, heaters, and commercial equipment that burn fuel.
- Ozone (O₃)
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- Source – Certain air purifiers, photocopiers, and other office equipment that generate ozone as a by-product.
How do these toxic gases affect your health?
The potential for short-term and long-term health effects from inhaled toxic gases makes maintaining good indoor air quality a priority. To proactively protect vulnerable populations, understanding the factors that determine when air quality audits should be conducted is crucial.
Health effects of common toxic gases
| Gas | Short-Term Health Effects | Long-Term Health Effects |
| Carbon Monoxide | Dizziness, nausea, confusion | Brain damage, death (in high concentrations) |
| Radon | No immediate symptoms | Lung cancer, particularly for smokers |
| Formaldehyde | Eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing | Cancer, respiratory diseases |
| Volatile Organic Compounds | Headaches, dizziness, fatigue | Liver damage, kidney damage, cancer |
| Nitrogen Dioxide | Shortness of breath, irritation of airways | Chronic lung disease, increased asthma symptoms |
| Ozone | Sore throat, coughing, chest pain | Worsens chronic respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma) |
How can you detect toxic gases in your workplace?
Detecting toxic gases is not always easy, as many of them are odourless or tasteless. However, there are effective methods to identify these gases and ensure the air you breathe is safe.
Detection methods:
- Carbon monoxide detectors: Essential in spaces with gas-powered appliances.
- Radon detectors: Should be placed in basements or areas with poor ventilation. Since radon is one of the most dangerous indoor pollutants, choosing the best indoor air quality detector is crucial.
- Formaldehyde monitors: Necessary for detecting this gas in commercial spaces with new furnishings, construction materials, or recent renovations.
- Air quality monitors: These devices can track multiple air pollutants in real time.
- Professional air quality assessments: For large facilities, hiring an expert to conduct a full assessment may be the best option.
What can you do to reduce exposure to toxic gases indoors?
Reducing exposure to harmful gases can be achieved through a combination of proper ventilation, regular maintenance, and smart technology solutions. Additionally, by understanding how air quality monitors predict pollution trends, you can identify patterns early and take proactive steps to maintain a healthier indoor environment.
Effective Strategies To Minimise Exposure
- Improve ventilation: Ensure adequate air circulation in workspaces by using high-efficiency ventilation systems. Regularly inspect and maintain HVAC systems to prevent the buildup of toxic gases.
- Maintain equipment: Schedule routine maintenance for gas-powered equipment, including boilers, furnaces, and stoves, to ensure they operate efficiently and safely.
- Use low-emission materials: Opt for low-VOC paints, adhesives, and cleaning supplies to reduce indoor air pollution in office buildings, schools, and other commercial spaces.
- Install air quality monitors: Deploy advanced air quality monitors to track pollutant levels in real time and receive immediate alerts if gas concentrations exceed safe limits.
- Seal cracks and gaps: Prevent radon from entering commercial facilities by sealing cracks in the foundation and walls. To fully grasp the importance of these preventive measures, learn more about the health effects of radon gas and its sources.
When should you seek professional help for toxic air exposure?
If you suspect that your indoor air quality is compromised, it’s essential to take action. If you notice any symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or difficulty breathing, it’s time to seek professional help.
When to call an expert:
- Persistent symptoms: If you or anyone in your workplace is regularly feeling unwell, it could be due to poor air quality.
- Increased gas levels: If your air quality monitor detects dangerous levels of toxic gases like CO, formaldehyde, or radon.
- Complex installations: If you need expert advice or assistance in setting up air quality monitoring systems or improving ventilation.
- Building renovations: When dealing with new construction or recent renovations, formaldehyde and VOC levels can increase.
Conclusion
Maintaining good indoor air quality is crucial for everyone’s health and safety, especially in sensitive environments like schools, hospitals, and offices. Toxic gases, though often invisible or undetectable to the naked eye, can pose severe health risks if left unchecked. By investing in air quality monitoring tools, you can ensure the air you breathe is safe, taking proactive steps to improve health and productivity in your workplace.
If you’re concerned about the air quality in your building, find out how Edimax can help you take control of your indoor environment and ensure a safer, healthier space.