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How to Prevent Allergens in Work Environments
6/27/2023 (Permalink)
Man sneezing because of allergies in work environment
During the last several years, the COVID-19 pandemic taught us many things about the cleanliness of the workplace environment. Many of those lessons reinforced the awareness of professionals in every job and industry that a safe, healthy environment is essential for worker well-being, safety, and productivity. Allergens are a key factor regarding a healthy work environment; therefore, many companies regularly hire commercial cleaning services as they play a crucial role in effectively preventing and managing allergens.
Let’s take a look at identifying allergens and review the process a commercial cleaning service employs to keep workplaces allergen-free.
What is an Allergen, Allergy, and Allergic Reaction?
An allergen is a substance that triggers an allergic response or reaction in an individual. Allergens can be found in various forms, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, certain foods, perfumes and fragrances, mold, latex, cockroaches, medications, and chemicals.
An allergy is an abnormal immune response of the body to a typically harmless substance or allergen. In individuals with allergies, their immune system recognizes the allergen as a threat and elicits an allergic reaction, which is the body’s response. The severity of reactions and ensuing symptoms can include:
- Respiratory symptoms involving nasal congestion, itching, watery eyes, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- Skin reactions including itchy, red, swollen skin, visible rashes, and hives.
- Digestive symptoms including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat.
- Anaphylaxis can present as the most severe allergic reaction and requires immediate medical attention. It is a life-threatening emergency involving difficulty breathing, rapid or weak pulse, dizziness, confusion, sudden drop in blood pressure, and sometimes death.
Because many individuals can come in contact with so many allergens in the workplace, commercial cleaning services must be hired to achieve the most allergen-free environment possible.
Why is a Commercial Cleaning Service the Most Effective Way to Combat Allergens?
It is simple. When your business requires highly specialized attention for eliminating allergens from your employees’ work environment, selecting a commercial cleaning service with extensive expertise and experience in mitigating allergic substances in the air and on surfaces is the most effective way to keep your staff healthy and productive. Let's look at some steps they take to ensure the most allergen-free workplace possible.
HEPA Vacuum Cleaners. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum cleaners are designed to effectively capture and contain small particles, including allergens like dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. This equipment is used on floors, carpeting, walls, upholstery, furniture, and other surfaces to reduce allergic contaminants.
Dusting and Wiping. Regular and thorough dusting and wiping of all surfaces will minimize the presence of allergens and improve air quality and reduce contamination. Microfiber cloths effectively trap and remove dust particles, preventing them from becoming airborne.
Proper Cleaning Techniques. The techniques used are just as important as the equipment. Expert commercial cleaning services do not stir up dust and other allergens. They take meticulous care to remove allergens from the air and surfaces, not just move them from one spot to another.
Allergen-Safe Cleaning Products. Again, an exceptional commercial cleaning service will not contribute to allergy problems by introducing more allergens. Harsh chemicals and strong fragrances are avoided and will be less likely to trigger an allergic reaction among employees.
Regular Vacuuming and Carpet Cleaning. General and specialized commercial carpet and upholstery cleaning services should be used regularly and should use HEPA-filtered vacuums to reduce allergens like dust mites and pet dander. Periodic deep cleaning of carpets and upholstery can help remove embedded allergens and maintain a healthier indoor environment.
Air Duct Cleaning. This area can be easily missed but contributes greatly to spreading allergens throughout the workplace. It is critical to schedule periodic air duct cleaning to remove accumulated debris, dirt, dust, mold, and other potential allergens from the HVAC system. Cleaned and sanitized air ducts improve indoor air quality and minimize the circulation of allergens.
Detailed Attention to High-Touch Areas. Commercial cleaning services also focus on high-touch areas such as doorknobs and handles, light switches, remotes, phones, locks, and shared equipment and surfaces to reduce the spread and contamination of allergens.
Ongoing Communication and Feedback. Commercial cleaning services and their business clients and customers need to maintain open communication regarding specific allergen concerns and feedback. This allows the cleaning service to address any specific needs or areas for improvement in managing allergens effectively. A cleaning service may also make recommendations for minimizing allergens between regular cleanings, to improve air quality, ventilation, and humidity levels, encourage the reduction of perfumes, fragrances, and other irritants, and establish cleaning protocols to reduce transferring allergens from the outdoors to the workplace.
Following these practices, a commercial cleaning service focusing on all surfaces, walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, upholstery, and HVAC systems can help create a healthier work environment by reducing allergens and promoting better indoor air quality for employees. When a work environment is cleaner, healthier, and safer, owners and managers will appreciate the significant benefits a commercial cleaning service brings to their business.
How clean and allergen-free is your work environment? Schedule an appointment with the commercial cleaning experts from SERVPRO today and find out how to improve the health of your workplace.