Hands, face and space; but what about the air we breathe?

New independent research commissioned by phs Group, phs index #2, found that 68% of UK consumers are concerned about catching Covid-19 when in an indoor environment.

This suggests there is a lack of confidence amongst consumers that could prevent them from visiting interior business environments throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic and beyond. However, one key element of defence that could change consumer perception is often missing from the COVID-19 safety conversation.

We know COVID-19 can spread through the air, but for some reason indoor air quality is often forgotten about when it comes to making business premises COVID-secure. We use hand sanitiser to clean our hands, and adhere to one-way systems for social distancing, but what are we doing to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the air?

The importance of clean air
The Coronavirus Pandemic has made us more aware of the air we breathe and how germs and viruses can be transmitted through it. It may surprise you to learn that indoor air tends to be around five times more polluted than exterior air, due to pollution caused by machinery, unwanted odours, germs, and allergens. This is even more shocking when you consider how much time the average person spends in indoor environments, particularly during the winter months.

Clean air is important for both our physical and mental health:

• Improves mental well-being
  Clean air helps create a more positive and health-focused environment, leaving people feeling happier and alert.
• Keep us healthy
  Good air quality reduces the rate of sickness, as polluted air is full of germs and allergens which can cause colds and flu.
• Increases personal comfort
  Clean air helps make interior environments more comfortable, especially for those with seasonal allergies, asthma, and irritable skin conditions.

The risk of Covid-19 in interior spaces
To further understand the airborne risk of  COVID-19 transmission in indoor spaces, phs worked with a leading professor. Professor Paul Linden, Fluid Mechanics Expert, Cambridge University, said:

“Indoor air quality is a real concern in the spread of coronavirus. Much of the focus on COVID-19 has been the transmission by physical touch and larger droplets expelled when an infected person breathes, talks and coughs but what we’re not talking about enough is the smaller infected droplets and particles which remain airborne and are not contained by masks.”

“Growing evidence indicates these infected aerosols linger in the air for hours at a time and can be spread around a building – even after an infected person has left creating an extended risk of transmission. Improving indoor air quality must be at the forefront if we truly want to create COVID-safe environments

How does the general public feel?
The hospitality sector is driven by consumer demand, so it’s important for businesses to understand how their needs have changed throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The phs Index #2 found that 3 in 5 (61%) UK consumers think air purifiers should be mandatory in all indoor environments to help curb the spread of viruses. Consumers said they would be more likely to visit businesses with interior air purifiers installed, as this would make them feel safe and looked after.

The air quality solution

Cleaning the air in your premises is easier than you think. All you need is an air purifier that works to capture and eliminate virus and germ particles. These easy to use devices can easily be incorporated into any environment, with wall-mounted and portable options available.

The benefits of air purifiers:

• Capture germ, virus, and dirt particles, removing them from the air.
• Capture unwanted odours, creating a clean and fresh atmosphere.
• Removes allergens and irritants from the air, creating a more comfortable environment.
• Provides clean air to interior environments, improving mental and physical health.
• An easy way to create a safe and welcoming environment that will increase consumer confidence.

An IoH webinar on the subject takes place on 9 February. Book your space here