Asthma is by a wide margin the most common chronic disease in the world, affecting in the region of 35 million people worldwide. Though the condition usually presents during childhood, it is nonetheless possible to develop asthmaat any time in life.
As dust mites and other common allergens are known to be primary asthma triggers, it is of critical importance to go about essential cleaning processes with asthma risk-reduction in mind. In the workplace in particular where it is highly likely one or more employees will have asthma, working to reduce the risk of asthma attacks should be given due focus.
So with this in mind, what follows is a quick overview of 8 tips from the experts, when it comes to improving working conditions for asthma sufferers:
1. First of all, don’t make the mistake of falling into a false sense of security when using disinfectants. Though highly effective in killing germs and bacteria, even the strongest cleaning product may no remove the dust and dust mites that can set off asthma attacks.
2. Along with vacuuming on a regular basis, it is of the utmost importance to also empty all vacuums and vacuum bags frequently. Rather than waiting until bags are full, it is better to empty them when they reach about 50% of their capacity.
3. Unsurprisingly, dusting on a regular basis is one of the most important things to do when looking out for those with asthma. Damp-dusting can be particularly effective in removing the dust, rather than simply moving it around and throwing it into the air.
4. Keep a very close eye on the condition and cleanliness of heating and air conditioning units. If filters are not in good condition, this can result in high volumes of dust being recirculated around the building, over and over again.
5. Increase the frequency with which carpets are deep-cleaned. While regular vacuuming will make a big difference, vacuuming alone will not ensure that as much dust as possible is removed from the carpet. It is also important to ensure that when vacuuming, the device used features a high-quality HEPA filter to help remove allergens.
6. Given that mould also happens to be an extremely common asthma trigger, it is important to be aware of mould and mildew around the building. Bathrooms and areas where there is little circulation of air are more likely to develop mould and mildew than others, though it has the potential to appear almost anywhere at any time.
7. Try to get into the habit of focusing more time and effort on the areas that may normally be overlooked when cleaning. Just because it is a part of the building nobody ever sees does not mean it isn’t harbouring a dangerous amount of dust, grime and allergens.
8. Last but not least, remember that if you are unable or unwilling to give your premises such an intensive clean on a regular basis, it may be in your best interests to speak to a professional cleaning company. If you’d prefer not to take chances when it comes to the health and wellbeing of asthma sufferers, working with the professionals comes highly recommended.