In India’s cities, office workers spend over eight hours indoors, part of a global trend where people now spend 90% of their time inside buildings. While this offers climate-controlled comfort, it also raises a critical issue: indoor air quality (IAQ).
A joint study by GBCI India and Saint-Gobain across 30 Indian offices found that 73% failed to meet basic IAQ standards. Alarmingly, 67% exceeded safe nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels, and 75% had unsafe CO₂ concentrations. These aren’t just data points; they signal real health risks.
Poor air quality often leads to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), causing symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and reduced focus. Over time, productivity and well-being suffer. Simply increasing ventilation has been shown to boost productivity by up to 1.7% for every doubling of airflow.
Compounding the issue, outdoor air in Indian cities is often just as polluted. With AQI levels frequently hitting 450 in Delhi and 300 in Kolkata, polluted air easily seeps indoors, making IAQ a problem that can’t be ignored or shut out.
What Exactly Is Indoor Air Quality Monitoring?
IAQ monitoring is much more than just checking a sensor occasionally. It involves a continuous, dynamic measurement of pollutants like carbon dioxide, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen dioxide, alongside parameters like humidity and temperature.
Leading firms such as SGS India offer services that include on-site HVAC inspections, microbial sampling, and real-time sensor networks enhanced by analytics dashboards.
Worker expectations are shifting, too. Honeywell’s 2023 survey revealed that 56% of Indian employees expect IAQ monitoring to happen frequently, if not continuously, and 64% expressed grave concern about the air quality in their work environments.
Monitoring systems diagnose the issue and enable targeted actions, like ramping up ventilation when pollutant levels spike or identifying long-neglected corners of the building.
CO₂: The Quiet Threat in Your Office
CO₂ is often overlooked. Unlike smog or foul odours, you can’t see or smell it, but that doesn’t make it less harmful. The WHO and NIOSH suggest that indoor CO₂ concentrations above 1,000 parts per million (ppm) signal inadequate ventilation. Ideally, indoor CO₂ should stay below 700 ppm above outdoor levels.
Unfortunately, three out of four Indian offices exceed this benchmark. High CO₂ levels lead to headaches, drowsiness, poor concentration, and, in some cases, nausea—symptoms that fall squarely under SBS. CO₂ can climb to unhealthy levels in poorly ventilated spaces in as little as 45 minutes, especially in modern airtight buildings designed more for energy efficiency than fresh airflow.
How to Keep Indoor Air Fresh and Healthy
Improving IAQ isn’t just about plugging in a few air purifiers. It requires a layered, systematic approach:
- Source Control: Limit pollutants at their origin. Opt for low-VOC paints, adhesives, furnishings, and cleaning agents.
- Ventilation Design: Systems should deliver between 8 and 15 litres of fresh air per second per person, following ASHRAE standards.
- Advanced Filtration: Use HEPA filters, activated carbon and NO₂-specific filters. Only 10% of Indian offices currently use these.
- Real-Time Monitoring: IoT-enabled sensors can automate HVAC adjustments, preventing pollutant build-up.
- Thermal and Humidity Control: Maintain relative humidity between 40–60% and temperatures around 22–24°C.
Could It Be Sick Building Syndrome?
SBS is one of those terms that sounds vague until you start ticking off the symptoms. It includes eye irritation, dry throat, skin dryness, headaches, and fatigue that tend to worsen during the day and improve when leaving the building.
While data on SBS in India is limited, Malaysia’s figures offer insight: 47.5% of employees in newer buildings and 33.8% in older ones reported symptoms. In India, GBCI and Saint-Gobain found that about 45% of employees report issues consistent with SBS.
Indoor Air Quality: Strategy & Reality
| Strategy | Key Actions | The Indian Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Audits | Conduct complete IAQ diagnostics and HVAC assessments | Most offices lack even routine HVAC maintenance |
| Optimised Ventilation | Use demand-based ventilation with CO₂ sensors | Only 25% of labs had effective systems |
| Filtration Systems | Deploy HEPA, carbon, and NO₂ filters | Critical in cities like Delhi, yet uptake remains low |
| Non-Toxic Interiors | Choose low-VOC materials and cleaners | A must for long-term health and compliance |
| Routine Maintenance | Monthly filter changes, mould inspections | Often overlooked, yet essential |
| Automation and Sensors | Real-time IAQ monitoring and HVAC control | 56% of workers now expect this as a norm |
| Employee Engagement | Workshops, wellness programs, and awareness drives | Builds a culture of accountability and care |
Why Employers Should Prioritise IAQ
The evidence is clear: air quality directly impacts employee well-being, productivity, and loyalty. According to Honeywell, 95% of Indian workers believe IAQ affects their health. Nearly 30% would consider leaving a job with consistently poor IAQ. In 2022, 82% said they would leave an unhealthy indoor environment altogether.
Companies that take IAQ seriously can foster a healthier, more engaged workforce. Key steps include:
- Sharing IAQ data transparently with employees
- Installing displays or mobile alerts for air quality updates
- Creating wellness spaces or clean-air zones
- Training staff on best practices and IAQ awareness
Air Quality as a Clue to Larger Problems
Poor IAQ often hints at deeper systemic inefficiencies. Inconsistent airflow, energy waste, and neglected HVAC systems can degrade workplace performance. IoT-driven monitoring helps identify pollution “hotspots,” inactive zones, and suboptimal ventilation schedules.
There’s also a growing business case for clean indoor environments. Offices with health certifications or demonstrably clean air command higher rents and faster lease-outs, especially in India’s booming commercial real estate markets.
Final Thoughts
India’s urban workspaces are facing an invisible but urgent crisis. With nearly three-quarters of offices failing IAQ standards and almost half of employees showing symptoms of SBS, the need for change is undeniable.
But there’s a silver lining. Companies that proactively manage air quality, not just for compliance but out of genuine concern, stand to gain significantly. From healthier, happier teams to enhanced productivity and brand loyalty, clean air is more than just a luxury—it’s a strategic advantage.
