Creating a Safer, Healthier Office

Improve the air quality in your office for an invigorating work experience

Creating a Safer, Healthier Office

Looking for a fresh start with your new office, but overwhelmed with a pungent smell that incites nausea rather than anticipation?

This invisible culprit is no other than formaldehyde – the “new place smell” that we commonly encounter when stepping into newly renovated homes and offices.

What is formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a type of volatile organic compound (VOC) often found in building materials and furniture like composite wood, paints, and adhesives. It’s valued for its adhesive and preservative properties that help to enhance durability and prevent fungal growth.

What are the hidden dangers of formaldehyde?

Like other VOCs emitted from products in our daily lives (ranging from markers to cosmetics), formaldehyde evaporates easily into the air in a process known as off-gassing, which can occur over several months and even years after new products are created and installed. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can cause respiratory symptoms, headaches and even increase cancer risk.

How can we reduce the risks of formaldehyde exposure?

Going the extra mile to create a fresh work environment for your team can go a long way to enhance comfort and productivity in the long run. Taking active preventive measures is critical – the last thing you want marring the anticipation of a new office space is the team falling sick by unwittingly inhaling formaldehyde. Here’s how you can reduce the risk of formaldehyde exposure before and after moving into your new office.

Start at the source:

Opt for low-emission materials and furnishings to minimise formaldehyde emissions. At Conexus, we use E1 grade plywood and formaldehyde-free glue in all our carpentry works. The E1 grade standard, established by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), ensures that wood products emit minimal levels of formaldehyde, making them safe for indoor use and significantly lowering the health risks from formaldehyde exposure.

Based on our tests, such eco-friendly materials offer more than 50% reduction in formaldehyde and total VOC levels as compared to conventional materials, greatly improving the air quality of your office post-renovation.

Choose products with eco labels:

These labels, like Singapore Green Label and Thai Green Label, are awarded to products which are verified to have reduced environmental impact. Certain labels require the products to have minimal formaldehyde in order to be certified.

For example, products certified with the Singapore Green Label by the Singapore Environment Council have low or non-detectable formaldehyde levels, while interior paints certified with the label will have no formaldehyde. The Sustainability Furniture Mark (SFM), an industry-led label by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council, also recognises companies whose products meet the stringent criteria for low formaldehyde emissions.

Ensure proper ventilation:

During and following the completion of your office renovation, open windows and doors as much as possible to let fresh air in and promote air circulation, which will help to dilute the concentration of formaldehyde and other VOCs.

Incorporate air-purifying plants:

Choose varieties such as snake plant, rubber tree and pothos, which help to absorb formaldehyde, improve indoor air quality and brighten up the space for a refreshing work experience.

Use air purifiers:

Purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters can help to trap and break down formaldehyde molecules while removing other impurities in the air to improve your office’s air quality.

Keep your office cool and dry:

High temperature and humidity accelerates the release of formaldehyde in the office. To slow down its release, pair air conditioning with dehumidifiers for a comfortable, healthier work environment.

Seek help from professional firms:

If your office is situated in a commercial building, it may not be possible to open windows to expel formaldehyde. Various treatment firms offer formaldehyde removal services which incorporate spraying and ventilation techniques to help to gradually break down formaldehyde and reduce formaldehyde levels.

The Conexus Commitment: A Cleaner, Greener Workplace Transformation

Collaborate with Conexus Studio to create a transformative office space designed with your team’s health in mind! As an award-winning interior design practice in Singapore, we craft your dream office with a wide range of sustainable furniture, paint and flooring options to comprehensively eliminate sources of formaldehyde and VOCs for a fresh work experience (in every sense of the word).

Looking for office design inspiration? Check out our past projects for examples of how you can weave in nature and sustainable materials seamlessly into your workspace.

Ready to embark on your workplace transformation journey? Click here to reach out to us and get the ball rolling.