Rentokil Initial urges businesses to tackle indoor air quality

Recent Rentokil Initial research has shown that workers are concerned about returning to the office without assurances on indoor air quality. A majority (68%) of Brits believe that businesses and employers need to do more to ensure clean air circulates in their premises, while 62% went so far to say that air purification systems should be mandatory in public buildings and education facilities. 

The World Health Organisation says that poor indoor air quality is responsible for 3.8 million premature deaths globally, with cross contamination of airborne viruses and diseases 19 times more likely indoors than out. The organisation also advises that Coronavirus, like many other viruses, can be transmitted via aerosols in the air.

Jamie Woodhall, UK technical manager & innovation manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene and Initial Washroom Hygiene says: “The global pandemic has made the delivery of clean, healthy indoor air even more critical for the wellbeing of people indoors. Businesses should look at the air flow and ventilation within their premises, and consider appropriate air purification options to help ensure they are circulating clean indoor air for their employees and customers to breathe.”

According to the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, businesses are required to maintain working conditions that are safe and without risk to employees, stating that air quality should be at least equal to, but ideally better than, the air outside the building. This has until recently, relied upon adequate ventilation of indoor areas via windows or systems such as ducts and fans or traditional, outdated air purification solutions that may not adequately clean the air.

Air purification technology 

Rentokil Initial comments that providing clean, healthy indoor air and reducing the risk of the transmission of airborne illnesses indoors must become a critical consideration for companies going forwards. This means effective use of new air purification technology alongside the air ventilation systems already in place, especially in environments where fresh air is harder to circulate.

Rentokil Initial is distributing VIRUSKILLER technology that decontaminates the air, by not only trapping, but killing airborne viruses, bacteria and fungi using ultraviolet-C (UV-C) technology. It filters dirty air, neutralises toxic air and decontaminates sick air.

Woodhall continues: “Some air purifiers are not effective in the decontamination of viruses, bacteria and mould. VIRUSKILLER UV-C technology provides a photochemical deconstruction of microorganisms which deactivates their reproductive processes ensuring that Coronavirus, and other viruses, can no longer spread, before clean, purified air is released back into the room.”

Earlier this year Rentokil Initial re-signed as Saracens Rugby Club's Official Hygiene Supplier. The installation of VIRUSKILLER units in indoor areas at the StoneX Stadium gives both fans and players peace of mind that the club has prepared the stadium to be as safe as possible.

Rentokil Initial is also supporting music venue, The O2 arena. Central to this agreement was the installation of VIRUSKILLER air purification technology.