Tag: VOCs

Are Scents a True Indicator of Cleanliness?

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. For many of us, the smell of lemon, pine, or even bleach is synonymous with cleanliness. We’ve been conditioned to believe that these scents are proof of a clean environment. However, the truth is […]

Smart Building Technologies for Healthier Indoor Environments

Smart buildings today are far more than a token contribution to sustainability or a clever way to save energy—they positively impact health, safety, and comfort. This shift in how we design and operate buildings comes as research increasingly links indoor environmental quality (IEQ) to human well-being and productivity. Modern technologies offer powerful tools to meet […]

Choosing the Right Paint for Your Facility

Facilities professionals should choose the right type of paint for their commercial, industrial, educational, and governmental buildings, taking into consideration its appearance and durability. No matter what option you choose, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends reading all instructions, selecting products that don’t emit harmful vapors, and providing adequate ventilation through open windows and […]

Illuminating the Triple Bottom Line for a Sustainable Future in Facilities

If you want to make a difference in today’s social, economic, and environmental climate, a great place to start is by examining what’s going on behind the scenes in facilities. Many consider social, economic, and environmental themes the triple bottom line (TBL) of facilities management. The TBL theory suggests that instead of one bottom line, […]

Poor Indoor Air Quality Could Impact Worker Creativity: Study

Air quality in the office may affect our level of creativity at work, according to scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore). Working with global air filter manufacturer Camfil on a shared research project, the NTU scientists found in a study that high levels of volatile organic compounds—gases released from products such as detergents, pesticides, perfumes, aerosol […]

Managing VOCs and Odors in Commercial Workspaces

Facilities managers know the importance of maintaining proper indoor air quality (IAQ). As far as critical issues go, air quality, ventilation, and the prevention of pollutants are up there, as they pose a severe health risk to workers, not to mention productivity and efficiency. One of the most prevalent indoor air contaminants is volatile organic […]

Pitfalls to Avoid When Choosing Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

As the health risks associated with conventional cleaners and disinfectants become more widely known, businesses are increasingly looking to protect their customers and employees by searching out sustainable alternatives. That’s a sound instinct, but what does it really mean to get a green clean? That question turns out to be more complicated than it might […]