How can air quality at work be monitored?

Ensures adequate ventilation and good air quality at work.

Ensuring optimal air quality in a workspace is not the result of a single action, but rather the result of a constant balance between three key interconnected factors. Addressing these three pillars in a comprehensive manner is the only way to create an environment that actively promotes the health, comfort and maximum productivity of the workforce.

The first pillar is adequate ventilation. The most effective way to measure whether air renewal is sufficient for the occupancy of a space is to monitor carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels. If CO2 remains below the recommended thresholds (generally around 800-1,000 parts per million), it means that stale air is being properly replaced by fresh air, effectively diluting indoor pollutants.

The second pillar is thermal comfort. A working environment cannot be considered healthy if it is excessively hot, cold or humid. Temperature and relative humidity not only affect the feeling of well-being, but also influence the spread of viruses and the proliferation of mould and mites. Keeping these two parameters within the ranges established by regulations (e.g. 23-26°C in summer and 20-24°C in winter, with relative humidity between 30% and 70%) is essential for physical and mental well-being.

Finally, the third pillar is the direct control of pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Ventilation alone is not enough; it is crucial to ensure that ventilation is not introducing more pollution from outside and that interior materials are not emitting harmful substances. Measuring these specific parameters allows hidden problems to be identified and the effectiveness of filtration systems to be validated, closing the loop to create a truly safe and healthy workspace.