The hidden health risks that lurk in offices

All around the country, and indeed the world, people use office space when they are working. Compared with building sites, mines, oil rigs and so on, these environments are safe. However, they are not entirely without risk.

Indeed, an article in the Daily Mail has drawn attention to some of the risks these locations can pose to people’s wellbeing.

For example, it pointed out that office space in Birmingham and elsewhere that is poorly lit can impact on workers’ body clocks. Professor Till Roenneberg, head of the Centre for Chronobiology at the University of Munich, stated that not getting enough light during the day can have an impact on people’s hormones. Individuals may turn to cigarettes to help them remain alert throughout their working hours and alcohol at night so they can sleep better.

Another possible danger concerns eating. It is increasingly common to see workers sitting at their desks when they tuck into their lunches or snacks, rather than heading off to canteens and so on. According to Dr Ron Cutler, a micro- biologist at Queen Mary University of London, the crumbs that accumulate on their desks and keyboards provide the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive.

Meanwhile, Dr Peter Wilson, a microbiologist at University College London Hospitals, remarked: “Meat or chicken in temperatures of more than 4°C will start to see salmonella growing after two or three hours.”

Viruses and bacteria can also be spread quickly and easily around London office space and so on. About this, Dr Cutler said: “If you are coughing and spluttering, do everyone a favour and go home. The particle matter in a sneeze can travel more than three metres in any direction.”

By making sure their offices are well lit and clean, managers may be able to lessen these risks to worker health.