Forbo Flooring Systems has partnered with Allergy UK to produce a comprehensive report, ‘Work Fever’, focusing on the prevalence of indoor allergies within the work environment, to support the charity’s promotion of healthy indoor environments.
Allergy UK carried out the research amongst office workers - primarily allergy sufferers - to establish how commonplace ‘work fever’ is and estimates that at least 5.7 million people in the UK could be allergic to their workplace.
From nasal problems, eye conditions, dry throats, breathing difficulties, lethargy, headaches and skin irritations; 95 per cent of those questioned had experienced one or more of these symptoms in the office, but alarmingly, over half of the group surveyed had experienced an allergic reaction whilst at work.
Maureen Jenkins, Director of Clinical Services, Allergy UK says: “The results are of concern for Allergy UK because it is difficult for individuals to exercise the same control over their workplace as they would do at home. Management of allergies becomes increasingly difficult when in communal spaces, so it’s not surprising that a great deal of allergy sufferers have experienced a reaction at work.”
Currently, the UK is one of the top three countries in the world for the highest instances of allergy(1) with over 21 million UK adults suffering from some kind of allergic reaction.(2) One of the common causes of asthma and allergies is the exposure to dust mites in soft furnishings and carpets.
The survey revealed that cleaning of offices is infrequent and does not appear adequate enough to prevent the build up of house dust mites and allergens, with 37 per cent reporting their office is cleaned just once a week or less. With 20 per cent of respondents spending eight hours or more at work, the combination of visibly dusty and cluttered desks, soft furnishings, poorly vaccumed carpets and a lack of ventilation is not conducive to a healthy working environment.
Julie Dempster, Marketing Manager at Forbo Flooring Systems comments: “The real area of concern resulting from the research is that 42 per cent of allergy sufferers took time off work because of their allergy. Fourteen per cent of sufferers actually took between four and ten days off sick because of their allergy, figures that could be addressed by actively minimising allergens in the workplace.
“Due to its large surface area, a key factor in maintaining the indoor environment is the performance characteristics of the chosen floorcovering, as well as efficient and regular cleaning.”
For specifiers and end users, the impact of flooring should not be underestimated when considering a healthy interior environment and it is worth opting for either an Allergy UK approved smooth or flocked flooring that has been scientifically tested by Allergy UK and awarded the Seal of Approval.
Forbo’s Flotex and Marmoleum floor coverings both carry this scientifically proven third party accreditation, as with the correct cleaning regime they will not harbour house dust mites or pet allergens.
