In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set five air changes per hour (ACH) as the target amount of ventilation needed in occupied indoor spaces, such as offices and stores, to better reduce the risk of airborne infections such as Covid-19. This level will better protect everyone and is especially important for immunocompromised and other at-risk groups who can’t be adequately protected by vaccines. (The CDC still advises both immunocompromised and pregnant people to avoid crowded or poorly ventilated indoor spaces.)
Making the Air in the Office Cleaner
Three cost-effective steps organizations can take.
July 05, 2023
HBR Staff/fizkes/Getty Images
Summary.
Pressure on employers is increasing to ensure that the air is clean in their facilities. The CDC has set a target for air changes in occupied spaces to reduce the risk of airborne infections such as Covid-19. The federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which took effect on June 27, 2023, mandates that employers provide “reasonable accommodations” for pregnant workers. And the recent intense air pollution from Canadian wildfires that extended across much of the United States highlighted yet another reason: forest fires. This article describes three steps that organizations can take to improve air quality in a cost-effective fashion.