Could You Be Allergic to Your Cubicle?
Most office workers have joked about being “allergic to work,” but the truth is, it’s entirely possible for the workplace to make a person sick. The unassuming cubicle can sometimes be home to allergens that can and do make people sick with itchy eyes, runny nose, and general respiratory unease.
Most large office buildings have filtration systems to get some of the allergens out of the air, but with smaller offices, that may not be the case. Cubicles with fabric-covered walls can be home to dust mites, which are a major cause of allergic reactions. The same is true for office carpeting. And studies have found desk drawers to be terrific breeding grounds for molds, which are responsible for many allergies.
There is no one magic solution to eliminating allergens in the office. The problem must be addressed on many fronts. If you bring used office furniture into a workspace, vacuum it thoroughly to remove dust or pollen that might have landed on it during transport or at its previous home. Workers who suffer from allergies may want to put a small air purifier in their cubicle to trap dust, pollen, and other irritating particles. Cleaning out the inside of desk drawers with disinfecting wipes is a good way to keep mold populations under control there.
People with dust allergies who don’t have problems with pollen may consider adding house plants to their cubicles. They are not only attractive, but are terrific at removing some irritating chemicals (like formaldehyde) from the air. If the office cleaning staff doesn’t vacuum regularly, it may be worthwhile to buy a small vacuum cleaner for the office to help keep allergens under control between cleanings.
In the United States alone, more than 4 million workdays per year are lost due to allergies. Keeping workplaces clean and ensuring proper air filtration can reduce workplace allergy symptoms and improve productivity.