LEARN / ARTICLE

Clean Air Zone Aids in Achieving a 93% Improvement in Air Quality at BNI Ventures Office

WRITTEN BY

Nafas Indonesia

PUBLISHED

27/02/2024

LANGUAGE

EN / ID

English / Indonesia

CAZ Stories is a series of articles highlighting the significant impact of Clean Air Zones in diagnosing and mitigating indoor air quality issues for businesses in Indonesia. For more information, read our previous CAZ Stories:

Air pollution is a problem impacting communities worldwide, including Indonesia. Especially in cities with high pollution levels like Jakarta, where the average pollution level in 2023 reached up to 38 µg/m3. This condition is unsafe for residents as the pollution far exceeds the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (15 µg/m3) and is nearly 8 times higher than the WHO annual guideline.

The WHO designates PM2.5 as a hazardous pollutant due to its small size, making it easily inhalable into the lungs. PM2.5 poses a threat to the general population, but its risks are significantly higher for sensitive groups, including children under five and adults over sixty.

Based on field monitoring by the Nafas team, indoor air pollution leakage from the outside can reach up to 100%. This is concerning, especially for residents in polluted cities like Jakarta.

Recently, Nafas released an article titled "Our Buildings Make Us Sick" highlighting the reality that air pollution is not just an outdoor issue but also an indoor one.

In highly polluted cities, indoor air quality is often as high as outdoor air quality, meaning outdoor pollution can seep into buildings and contaminate the air we breathe. This can occur in various buildings, from homes to offices to our children's schools.

How Air Quality Affects Our Productivity and Cognitive Function

Numerous studies have examined the relationship between building conditions and the performance of individuals within them. One such study, led by Dr. Joseph Allen from the Harvard Healthy Buildings Institute at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health, investigated the connection between the indoor environment and human performance. The COGFx study in 2021, involving countries such as Mexico, India, Thailand, the US, the UK, and China, tested how indoor air quality affects the cognitive performance of office workers.

The findings of this study, outlined in the COGFx study, revealed alarming trends. When PM2.5 levels exceeded 12 µg/m3, there was a significant decrease in performance in four out of five cognitive tasks performed by office workers.

A 2016 study by the University of Southern California reached similar conclusions but focused on the impact of PM2.5 on productivity and decision-making in factory environments. The study found that for every increase of 10 µg/m3 in PM2.5 concentration above the baseline of 15 µg/m3, productivity decreased by 6%.

These studies highlight the negative impact of increased PM2.5 on short-term cognitive performance, underscoring the need for further research on other pollutants and the role of sound and airflow from air purifiers.

Responding to these concerns, Nafas partnered with BNI Ventures to improve indoor air quality in their office environment to create a healthy workplace for employees throughout operating hours.

Issue: Indoor Air Quality at BNI Ventures Often Exceeds Recommended Limits

Using air quality monitors connected to the cloud, Nafas collected data on PM2.5, CO2, temperature, and humidity pollution levels inside the office. Initial tests indicated inconsistent healthiness of indoor air quality in BNI Ventures office spaces.

Indoor air pollution levels (depicted by the blue line) often exceeded the recommended PM2.5 limit of 12 µg/m3 set by Dr. Joseph Allen, founder of the Harvard Healthy Buildings Institute at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Based on the October 2023 air quality monitoring results, data from inside BNI Ventures office indicated fluctuating pollution levels throughout the week. At certain times, PM2.5 levels spiked nearly to outdoor conditions.

Field survey results showed a PM2.5 pollution spike inside the office, reaching 41 µg/m³, almost 3 times the WHO recommended limit of 15 µg/m³!

The office building's design was insufficient to filter outdoor air pollution and maintain healthy indoor air. This condition indicates an immediate need to add air purification systems for a healthier environment for employees. The polluted conditions at BNI Ventures office potentially could decrease employee productivity by up to 18%.

Solution: Transforming BNI Ventures Office into a Clean Air Zone

To improve indoor air quality in buildings in polluted cities like Jakarta, Nafas has developed the Clean Air Zone system. This ecosystem has been comprehensively designed to maintain healthy indoor air quality throughout working hours.

This can be achieved through an integrated automated system, including accurate air quality measurement, effective air filtration techniques, robust certification standards, and data-driven programs involving relevant stakeholders. BNI Ventures office has transformed into a Clean Air Zone.

Result: Consistently Maintained Air Health at BNI Ventures Office

Data from January 2024 shows that the automated and integrated Clean Air Zone ecosystem implemented at BNI Ventures office significantly reduced indoor air pollution levels. This collaborative initiative yielded tangible results, creating a healthy and comfortable working environment during office hours.

The air quality inside BNI Ventures office remained 'Good' every day during operating hours. Now, employees at BNI Ventures office can breathe air that is 93% cleaner and healthier after their office became a Clean Air Zone!

Monthly Air Quality Report

One of the benefits of being a Clean Air Zone is receiving regular monthly air quality reports. BNI Ventures management can share this information with staff and other stakeholders in the office.

Below is an illustration of the report that the office will receive every month:

Becoming a Clean Air Zone is So Easy

Interested in providing a healthy and comfortable work environment in your office? Don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or click the link below.

Let's join our mission to make clean air the standard in the workplace!