This office is a gas chamber...

This was evidenced by the just published, extensive research called OfficAir Project that the prestigious institution has conducted in eight European countries, including Italy. The results are disheartening to say the least: formaldehyde, benzene and terpenes are far above the risk threshold. The smog pollution entering from the windows, in fact, is compounded by the pollution from linoleum floors, furniture glues and paints, cleaning products, photocopiers and printers. In other words, an actual gas chamber where we spend most of our day. Still not convinced? Here are some figures: in the offices analysed in Italy, in winter, the concentration of formaldehyde, which is carcinogenic, is 15 micrograms per cubic metre while outside it stops at 4 micrograms. In the summer, the indoor level reaches 18 micrograms (9 outdoors). Taking into account that – according to CNR experts – the danger threshold is 10 micrograms, the sums soon add up. Ans this is but one of the 30 pollutants analysed by CNR. This is not scaremongering: it is widely proven that breathing polluted air is an extremely serious health hazard. The studies in the field are by now countless. And the results are unquestioned: pollution kills. In short: solutions are urgently required. The technology is already here: most offices, in fact, are air-conditioned. All it would take to address the root of the problem and allow workers to breathe clean and disinfected air, is to fit air conditioners with an effective filter.

This was evidenced by the just published, extensive research called OfficAir Project that the prestigious institution has conducted in eight European countries, including Italy. The results are disheartening to say the least: formaldehyde, benzene and terpenes are far above the risk threshold. The smog pollution entering from the windows, in fact, is compounded by the pollution from linoleum floors, furniture glues and paints, cleaning products, photocopiers and printers. In other words, an actual gas chamber where we spend most of our day. Still not convinced? Here are some figures: in the offices analysed in Italy, in winter, the concentration of formaldehyde, which is carcinogenic, is 15 micrograms per cubic metre while outside it stops at 4 micrograms. In the summer, the indoor level reaches 18 micrograms (9 outdoors). Taking into account that – according to CNR experts – the danger threshold is 10 micrograms, the sums soon add up.

Ans this is but one of the 30 pollutants analysed by CNR. This is not scaremongering: it is widely proven that breathing polluted air is an extremely serious health hazard. The studies in the field are by now countless. And the results are unquestioned: pollution kills. In short: solutions are urgently required. The technology is already here: most offices, in fact, are air-conditioned. All it would take to address the root of the problem and allow workers to breathe clean and disinfected air, is to fit air conditioners with an effective filter.