Is Your Office Toxic?
Mar 29, 2008 
Amanda Cuthbert and Jon Clift are the authors of Greening Your Office, From Cupboard to Corporation: an A-Z Guide, Energy - Use Less Save More and Water Use Less – Save More, (Chelsea Green). Amanda Cuthbert resides in Great Britain.
Guest Blogger Amanda Cuthbert--
Can it be true that a greener office is a healthier one?
Getting to work: When you think about the amount of time you spend at your desk if you work in an office, and then add a possible car journey to work and back and an evening in front of the TV, you may not be getting much exercise in a working day, not to mention the CO2 you emit during your commute; if you can walk or cycle to work, even part of the way, you will reduce your carbon footprint and your waistline at the same time. There is also research to show that you will arrive at work refreshed and more alert than if you have sat in a car, and that you will experience three times more pollution travelling by car in traffic than if you were on foot or on a bike.
Cleaning the office : Products used to clean offices can be toxic, with chemicals and solvents that could damage your health. (for example ammonia and bleach) if you use environmentally-friendly cleaning products in your office and office kitchen you will not be breathing in potentially dangerous chemicals from conventional cleaning products nor will you be adding pollution to rivers and streams, and the wildlife that live there, when the cleaning substances are washed down the drain.
Meal time: by using locally sourced food which is in season you can be sure that you are not eating food which has been grown on soil deadened by pesticide or fertiliser residues and you will save food miles at the same time.
Turn the heat down: Computers and other electronic office equipment give off a lot of heat during a working day, adding to the existing temperature of the room. If you work in a stuffy overheated room you will end up sleepy and unproductive. Research shows that office staff are generally more comfortable at 66 degrees F; if you can, turn down the thermostat in your office by a degree or two you will reduce the carbon emissions from the office and keep your brain more alert. If possible, turn off any unused electronic equipment and only turn it on when you need it – including your computer!
Plants and air conditioning: Use plants in your office to ‘green’ your workplace. Plants have been found to be very effective at reducing air pollution in enclosed places (eg the Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum); they also act as excellent room dividers, as well as raising the humidity of the air and deadening noise making for a calmer atmosphere and less stress.
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