The importance of monitoring indoor air quality for the hospitality sector

In the hospitality sector, a lot of importance is given to the quality of food in a restaurant, the quality of the beds in a hotel or the quality of the service in a bar, but how much attention is paid to the quality of the air inside all of them?

Indoor air quality is a very important issue for all types of businesses, but this is particularly important in the hospitality sector. It can impact on the health and safety of your employees as well as your patrons and can make a difference to the overall experience that a customer has with you, so it is important that you keep a constant eye on it.

In this article, IAQ Services take a look at what indoor air quality means, and why monitoring it is so important for the hospitality sector.

What is indoor air quality?

When we think about pollutants in the air, we tend to think of smog and pollution that is created outdoors, but there can be just as many pollutants in the air that we breathe indoors too. It can come from our activities, our cleaning products and even our furniture, and most of the time we will not even be aware that there is a problem.

However, indoor air quality can have a big impact on our health from both long term and short-term exposure. It can lead to allergies, respiratory diseases, heart disease, cognitive defects and even cancer, not to mention the ability to spread viruses and bacteria.

When in charge of a public space such as a business in the hospitality sector, it is therefore very important to monitor the quality of the air to ensure the safety of everyone in the business and see what you can do to minimise the pollutants.

Indoor air quality pollutants in hospitality

One pollutant that can be an issue in every type of hospitality business is dust. This can be emitted by furniture or by boilers that are run on fossil fuels and when breathed in it can have a big effect on a number of respiratory conditions.

In places that become busy, such as a restaurant or hotel, there can also be a lot of carbon dioxide in the air. This comes from the guests themselves and from equipment within the business and can have dangerous consequences.

Allergens can also be commonly found in many hospitality businesses and can remain on carpets and furniture sometimes for months. When they are released into the air, they can trigger an allergic response.

Carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless gas that has the potential to be fatal. There is always some in our atmosphere from things like cars and trucks, but there can be a particular build up caused by stoves, grills, fireplaces and furnaces, which can be extremely harmful.

Mould can also be a problem for many businesses. It can be caused by dampness and can often go unnoticed. However, it can release spores into the air that can then be inhaled and can lead to a number of respiratory issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic made us all a lot more conscious of what is in the air that we breathe, and this is because viruses and bacteria can be transferred through the air, especially in busy places. This means that illnesses can very easily be spread.

Indoor air quality monitoring

Poor indoor air quality can be harmful to anyone who spends time in that atmosphere, whether it is your staff or your guests. This can be a particular problem for anyone with any underlying health issues, and it is unlikely that you will know who these are.

It is therefore important to make sure that you monitor the quality of your air to identify any problems. An air quality monitor can be located in any room of the business, so that you can quickly identify any areas which may have a particular issue, such as from a leak. Once you are aware of a problem, you can then take measures to solve it.

In many cases, ventilation can be the key to good indoor air quality. HVAC systems can help to filter the air, removing many of the particles and volatile organic compounds (VOC) that can have a negative effect on the health of your staff and your customers.

The importance of air quality monitoring

Health and safety within your business should always be your biggest concern, and the quality of your air needs to be a part of this as it can have a direct impact on the health of anyone involved in the business. It is therefore important that you continually assess the air quality and find ways to improve it.

Having air quality monitors in place can help to build trust with your customers. You can confidently say that you are always monitoring the conditions, so they can trust that their health is as safe as possible while they are with you.

Good indoor air quality can also have a big impact on your staff. Not only can it help to reduce the amount of time off sick that they may need, but it can also actually help to make them more productive when they are at work.

Poor air quality can impact on all sorts of cognitive functions, which can lead to fatigue, a loss of concentration and headaches, which all mean that staff will not be at their best. Ensuring a good indoor air quality can help everyone to feel better and perform at the top of their game.

In the hospitality sector, your guests and customers put their trust in you when they use your services. They need to feel confident that you will keep them safe and well for the time that they spend with you, as this is usually when they want to relax and enjoy themselves and ensuring that the quality of the air that they breathe is as good as possible is one way that you can do this.