4 Common Indoor Air Quality Issues in Hotels

Poor air quality in the hotel industry has an adverse effect on the staff, guests, and customers who regularly visit the premises. Knowing how to improve the indoor air quality of a hotel includes having efficient ventilation, implementing maintenance of the boiler systems, and integrating air purifying solutions to mitigate airborne pollutants.

Before implementing these safety measures, it’s important to recognize the source of air quality issues. The following guide provides a summary of common indoor air quality issues in hotels and how they impact the safety and health of its occupants.

Bacterial Growth

Improper ventilation contributes to the bacterial growth of mold and mildew. Bacterial growth, in turn, can harm the respiratory system of hotel occupants through allergies, asthmatic reactions, and skin diseases.

Dust and Particles

Carpeted surfaces in hotels harbor high volumes of dust, dander, and dirt that contribute to respiratory complications and skin irritation. Dust and dirt contaminate the ductwork of an improper ventilation system and circulate air pollutants.

Poorly Ventilated Bathrooms

Hotel bathrooms rely on air pressure regulation to keep toilet fumes and humidity flowing outside through the building’s ventilation system. If there’s negative air pressure inside a hotel, the air inside the corridors becomes trapped inside and affects the indoor air quality.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Interior products inside hotels can impact the air quality by emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to this substance results in respiratory tract issues, memory impairment, and neurotoxicity in more extreme cases.

It’s important to purchase interior products, such as carpet and floor-covering adhesive that contain the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Indoor Air Quality Testing Label.

The ethical and legal responsibility of a hotel is to ensure a safe environment for the people who reside in it. Understanding common indoor air quality issues in hotels can allow you to develop safe practices to help prevent indoor air quality issues before they occur.