Despite the efforts of many business owners to improve indoor air and water quality, it seems occupants are still dubious about the healthiness of their space. As reported by BusinessWire, recent findings from a North American survey by Savanta in conjunction with Clear Inc. reveal that 73% of North Americans do not consider the indoor air and water in office, condominiums and hotel buildings to be safe. The survery helped to reiterate one of the dominant concerns of the 21st century: Sick Building Syndrome, which, according to the World Health Organization, sees 40% of the buildings in North America making people sick.
“As we emerge from the pandemic, many North Americans are thinking about the air and water quality of their indoor environments, and – based on the survey findings – are willing to put more money behind solutions if it means they can protect their mental and physical health. With a background in real estate, this is a public health and safety issue that I recognized long before the pandemic and, through Clear, am trying to address for the benefit of our society,” said Gil D. Blutrich, Founder and President of Clear Inc.
“The findings from our recent survey with Savanta are eye-opening, especially the fact that a majority of North Americans do not currently feel that their office, condo, and hotel building environments are safe. Each of us are impacted by indoor air and water quality – it’s clear that this is an issue that needs to be addressed head-on.”
The survey, which contained 1,165 participants, ages 18 and over across Canada and the US, gathered information on the perception of a variety of building types, a summary of which is listed below:
General
- 78% of respondents agree that good air quality is a fundamental requirement in maintaining a healthy home.
- Less than 30% of North Americans feel indoor air and water quality is comfortably safe in office, condominium, and hotel buildings.
- More than half (51%) of North Americans are concerned about water quality reports and their ability to reduce water-related health worries.
- Almost three-fourths (74%) of North Americans would feel safe entering air quality-certified or air quality-rated buildings.
- On average, North Americans are open to paying roughly USD$13.50 per month for the indoor and water quality maintenance of the condo they are living in. Similarly, North Americans, on average, are open to paying roughly USD$9.50 per day for the indoor air and water quality maintenance of the hotel room they are staying in.
Condominium Buildings
- Only 28% of respondents perceive the indoor air quality in condo buildings to be extremely or very safe.
- Only 34% of respondents perceive the indoor water quality in condo buildings to be extremely or very safe.
Office Buildings
- Only 24% of respondents perceive the indoor air quality in office buildings to be extremely or very safe.
- Only 32% of respondents perceive the indoor water quality in office buildings to be extremely or very safe.
- More than three-fourths (83%) believe that their employer is likely to pay extra for it.
Hotel Buildings
- Only 27% of respondents perceive the indoor air quality in hotel buildings to be extremely or very safe.
- Only 32% of respondents perceive the indoor water quality in hotel buildings to be extremely or very safe.
