[DJC]
[Environmental Outlook]
August 20, 1998

Having a healthy workplace becomes a big priority

By LAURA SOUTHARD
Healthy Environments

The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that 21 million Americans work in offices, schools, factories and other buildings where indoor air pollution is a problem.

It shocks some to realize that air pollution can be two to five times worse indoors than out. Scientific American recently reported that people are likely to have the greatest contact with potentially toxic pollutants inside the places they usually consider unpolluted, such as homes, offices and autos.

Carpeting in the front office, cleaning supplies, the copier, even the laser printer can all emit harmful fumes that can trigger an asthma attack, headache or other health problems. Often people who work in sick buildings report and a wide range of vague symptoms such as headaches, eye and nose irritation, fatigue, depression and irritability.

During the last two decades there has been a strong emphasis on building energy efficient, super-insulated homes and offices, but without adequate ventilation and air exchange, hazardous chemicals can build up and get trapped inside. This, combined with the increased use of toxic materials and products has heightened our exposure to harmful chemicals.

A recent report stated that 30 percent of all newly constructed or renovated buildings are considered "sick." What does this mean for businesses? Sick buildings can lead to lower employee productivity, higher absentee rates, poor morale and high turnover.

What can business do to protect employees from potentially hazardous indoor work environments?

One way is to make healthy indoor environments a priority in the construction or remodeling of work facilities. The movement towards environmentally sound construction and remodeling, especially here in the Northwest, addresses the concern about indoor air pollution and health.

Since the mid '80's, as awareness about the evils of lead paint, asbestos and radon came to light, thousands of homeowners have taken action to improve their indoor environments. Professional Builder Magazine reports that 60 percent of buyers want "healthy house" features in a new purchase. Businesses are now catching on and taking action to create a healthier workspace.

Take the case of Verifone, a California company that in 1993 experimented with designing and building a healthier workplace at their Costa Mesa facility. Veriphone spent extra time and money designing and constructing a facility that reduced the use of chemicals and toxins, increased natural light and installed devices that would cut electrical consumption.

What Veriphone got for its investment was both a reduction in energy consumption and an increase in employee productivity. Within 18 months the absentee rate for employees working in the new facility was down 40 percent and productivity was up 5 percent. Furthermore, Veriphone estimates it will save about $110,000 per year in energy costs. This result was enough to sell senior management on the wisdom of converting all their facilities into healthy work spaces.

Being "green" is no longer considered fringe or alternative, it simply makes good sense. It is becoming easier to obtain information, consultation, design services and products aimed at improving the workplace.

A quick Internet search produced a plethora of resources, products and services for homes and business interested in improving their indoor environment.

Glidden and Benjamin Moore have begun manufacturing low-VOC paints which are virtually odor free and leave no lingering paint smell.

Ikea carries wood flooring that was used in the American Lung Association Healthy House project.

AFM of San Diego manufactures a full line of non-toxic building and remodeling supplies, including adhesives, water-repellents, paints, and stains.

The New York architectural firm Croxton Collaborative specializes in the design of healthy buildings.

Here in Seattle we have the NW Eco-Builders Guild, an educational forum for builders and architects others who wish to move towards healthier and more environmentally friendly construction and design. One local architectural firm, Seventh Generation of Friday Harbor, is also recognized as a leader in the field of green design, planning and building.

For many companies, designing and building a healthier work place many seem an expensive route to improving employee job satisfaction and well being. But when one considers the potential cost of an unhealthy workplace, it makes good business sense to take action. The cost of an unhealthy workforce costs businesses in higher health care premiums and lost productivity.

Even without remodeling or new construction, there are simple steps businesses can take to improve the quality of the workplace. For example, insisting on the use of less toxic cleaning supplies, improving ventilation and air exchange, replacing carpets with wood floors, installing less toxic insulation, or using air filtration systems can all make a big difference in a sick work place.

Healthy workplaces are becoming a priority for managers, business owners, builders and employees. There may be a day when all new construction, all remodels, all workplaces and all homes will be built with the health of the occupants in mind. Untill then, asking for alternatives, consulting with eco-design companies and using the tools that are now available will only increase the demand for technology, products and services to ensure a healthier workplace.


Laura Southard is co-owner of Healthy Environments, an Internet company which focuses on providing products and information for healthy homes and workplaces.

Copyright © 1998 Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.