don’t let allergies stop your workforce

August 12, 2024

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of people suffer from allergies. Some of the most common ones that can affect the workplace include pollen, mold and dust mites. There are also workplace-specific allergens, such as latex, animal proteins, certain reactive chemicals and flour.¹

Allergens can cause problems with nasal passages, cause sinus issues and increase the symptoms of asthma. They can also have a serious effect on your bottom line. Studies have shown that allergy sufferers have lower productivity and need more time off from work.^2,3 Learning about these allergens can help you safeguard your workforce from illness, leading to better health for your valued employees and improved productivity for your business.

Outdoor Allergens

Allergy season is starting earlier, lasting longer and has higher concentrations of pollen in the air due to climate change. If you have employees who work outside, consider how outdoor allergens may affect them. Some of the more common ones are pollen from trees, grass and weeds, and mold and mildew.⁴

Some plants also produce pollen all year round, regardless of weather.⁵ It’s a big problem. Pollen allergies affect 60 million Americans each year, with associated medical costs exceeding $3 billion annually.¹

Mold and mildew can live outdoors or indoors. Their microscopic spores travel through the air easily and for miles. These allergens tend to be more of an issue in warmer weather, though some spores can survive in colder temperatures.⁶ Exposure to mold spores can cause health problems ranging from upper respiratory tract issues and coughing to severe reactions including difficulty breathing and fever.⁷

Indoor Allergens

Indoor allergens are just as problematic as outdoor ones. Let’s look at the most common ones:

• Dust mites: These may be the most common allergy trigger all year round. These microscopic creatures live everywhere in the world except for Antarctica.⁸ They thrive in warm, humid environments such as furniture upholstery and carpets. If you have either or both in your workplace, you likely have dust mites.^9,10
• Cockroaches: Waste particles from their feces and body parts can become airborne or get trapped in soft fabrics.¹¹ Areas where there are food particles or water may attract cockroaches, such as breakrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
• Pet-related allergens: Pet dander is the main culprit. Even in environments where there are no pets, people can bring allergens in from home on their clothes or shoes.⁹
• Indoor molds and mildew: These allergens live where there is dampness, and their spores float through the air very easily.¹² They get indoors on shoes and clothing, through open windows and doors, and via vents and air conditioning/heating systems.¹³

All indoor allergens can cause reactions in people who are sensitive to them. Most people spend upwards of 75% of their time indoors. If people in your workforce are mostly indoors during work hours, dealing with indoor allergens is important.¹⁴

Allergic Rhinitis

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), also known as hay fever, can zap your workforce's productivity. SAR is widespread, affecting more than 80 million Americans.⁴ Symptoms include:^15,16

• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Postnasal drip
• Coughing
• Itchy eyes

Perennial allergic rhinitis affects around 23% of the population.¹¹ Most commonly caused by dust mites. PAR symptoms happen more frequently — at least an hour a day on most days of the year¹⁸ — and aren't affected by time of year or weather.¹⁹

Occupational allergic rhinitis (OAR) is caused by exposure to occupational allergens, such as wood dust, laboratory animals and even grains and coffee beans.¹⁷ It’s often underdiagnosed and can lead to health problems such as occupational asthma, sleep disorders, and cause a negative impact on the overall quality of life of your employees.¹⁸

How to Allergy-proof the Workplace

Limiting exposure to allergens is key.¹⁹ But that's not always easy, especially for people who work outside as well as in-office. No workplace can be 100% "allergy-proofed," but you can take steps to lower risk, both inside and out.

Begin by assessing the workplace for potential allergen issues. Work with an industrial hygiene specialist or occupational health expert to identify triggers and problem areas. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has information about no-cost Health Hazard Evaluations, including recommendations and preventative measures.²⁰

Controlling indoor air quality is one way to help lower allergens inside buildings. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are three main ways to work on this:²¹

• Source control: Eliminate or reduce sources of pollution. Seal or enclose areas that can be closed off. Adjust sources of potentially irritating emissions when closing off is not an option.
• Improve ventilation: This can involve increased costs, since improving ventilation may require installing fans or upgrading heating and cooling systems. Consider systems like air-to-heat exchangers or heat-recovery ventilators (these are often energy-efficient). Make sure that everything meets OSHA Standards.^22,23 Natural ventilation, such as opening doors and windows when weather permits, can also help since it can help reduce indoor allergens and pollutants.
• Utilize air cleaners: This can mean anything from small desk- or table-top models to larger (and more expensive) whole-building systems. Do some research to figure out which models or systems will be most efficient for your needs. Look for cleaners that are certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.²⁴

More ways to help keep allergens at bay are:

• Keep an eye on workplace humidity. It should be less than 50% to protect against mold spores.²⁵ Running a dehumidifier can help in areas where mold is likely to grow. Remember to clean the humidifier once a week or more, as needed.²⁶
• Pay attention to filters. Use filters that are certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Change or clean filters regularly.²⁴
• Fix leaks as soon as possible. Check ceilings, pipes, windows and doors for cracks, leaks or other ways water can get in.²⁷

Encourage your workforce to be proactive about their health. Employees should learn what they are allergic to (if anything) and what kind of allergic reactions they are likely to have. If severe reactions are likely, they can talk to you, the HR department or other supervisors to develop a plan in case of emergency.²⁸

Think about décor and furniture. Upholstered furniture is more likely to hold onto allergens. Wood, leather, plastic and metal furniture are the better options. It’s also wise to avoid drapes and curtains – install easy-to-clean shades or blinds instead.²⁶

Carpeting is another culprit. Flooring made from tile, linoleum, vinyl or concrete is best. If carpeting can’t be removed or replaced with less allergy-prone flooring, make sure to inspect it and vacuum regularly. Immediately remove any areas that are water-damaged or moldy.²⁶

Talk with your cleaning crew. Make sure they are using vacuums with HEPA filters and dusting all areas to prevent dust mites. Have carpets and other soft surfaces like upholstery steam-cleaned to eliminate bacteria, germs and other allergens that may aggravate symptoms.²⁷

Person Protective Equipment (PPE)

Outside or inside, the right PPE can lower exposure to allergens for your employees. This is especially important for any employees who handle irritants, such as isocyanates. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a directory of PPE to help employers determine what kind of PPE is best, depending on the job. They also have a Personal Protective Technology (PPT) Program that includes:

• Respirator testing and approval
• Long-Term Field Evaluation Program
• Site and product audit programs

Their site has other resources that cover all forms of PPE, from hearing protection and protective clothing to eye safety. There is also a list of NIOSH-certified equipment.²⁹ Here are some forms of PPE to consider.

• Masks: Even the most basic cloth mask can help protect against allergens, inside and outside. For example, surgical masks can block pollen grains as small as three micrometers. It’s important to note that masks aren’t long-term solutions for allergy protection, however, since masks can create or exacerbate skin conditions such as acne and eczema.³⁰
• Respirators: Respirators protect against many airborne allergens, including mists, gases, vapors and harmful dusts. They work by removing contaminants from the air and, in some cases, by supplying clean, breathable air. According to OSHA, simply complying with the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard can prevent thousands of illnesses and hundreds of deaths every year.³¹
• Eye protection: Allergens can affect the eyes, causing health issues such as conjunctivitis (pink eye). Goggles, face shields, full face respirators and safety glasses can prevent allergens from getting into the eyes. The type of eye PPE used depends upon the job being performed, how workers might be exposed to allergens, what other forms of PPE are being used and what range of vision the employee needs to have. Eye PPE should be sized properly for the individual or should be adjustable.³²
• Scrubs and gowns: If your employees work with or around animals on a regular basis, wearing facility scrubs or gowns over their regular clothing can be helpful, especially when combined with masks and gloves.³³
• Gloves: The type of gloves employees should use depends upon the type of job being performed as well as factors such as what kinds of chemicals employees are using or being exposed to, what kind of contact may occur (e.g., splashing versus hands being emerged in liquid) and how long contact will last. Gloves marked as “chemical-resistant” are made from many materials, including neoprene, PVC, latex* and nitrile.
  • Be mindful of latex gloves – around 4.3% of the population is allergic to latex. That number can be higher in certain occupations, such as health care. Have alternatives to latex gloves available for employees who have a latex allergy.³⁴

• Finally, encourage all employees – indoors and outdoors – to practice healthy hand hygiene. Washing hands regularly with soap and warm water as well as using hand sanitizer can help prevent the spread of allergens from person to surfaces and person to person.

  As much as you can plan for allergens, they are an ever-changing issue. If allergy symptoms are bringing one of your employees down, your local MedExpress is ready to help them start feeling better.

  NOTE: If you or one of your employees have been diagnosed by your doctor with a life-threatening allergy and are now experiencing any of the symptoms of anaphylaxis, immediately call 911 and administer your epinephrine auto-injector (such as EpiPen®) if you have one. Anaphylactic allergic reactions should always be treated in an ER.

  EpiPen® is a registered trademark of Mylan Inc.

  Originally published June 2023. Updated August 2024.
  

References:

1 CDC. “Allergens and Pollen.” Last updated March 2, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024.

2 Current Medical Research and Opinion. “Economic impact of workplace productivity losses due to allergic rhinitis compared with select medical conditions in the United States from an employer perspective.” Published June 2006. Accessed March 30, 2023.

3 Primary Care Respiratory Medicine. “The impact of allergic rhinitis on work productivity.” Published April 2007. Accessed March 30, 2023.

4 Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). "Allergy Facts." Last updated April 2022. Accessed March 29, 2023.

5 CDC. “Allergens and Pollen.” Last updated March 2, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024.

6 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). “Outdoor Allergens.” Last updated September 28, 2020. Accessed March 31, 2023.

7 CDC. “Mold.” Last updated February 7, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024.

8 AAFA. “Dust Mite Allergy.” Last reviewed October 2015. Accessed April 17, 2023.

9 AAAAI. “Indoor Allergens.” Last reviewed September 28, 2020. Accessed April 7, 2023.

10 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. “Dust Mites and Cockroaches.” Last reviewed August 29, 2022. Accessed April 7, 2023.

11 American Lung Association. “Cockroaches.” Last updated November 17, 2022. Accessed April 7, 2023.

12 AAAAI. “Mold Allergy.” Accessed April 7, 2023.

13 CDC. “Mold.” Last updated February 7, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024.

14 Environmental Health Perspectives. “Indoor Environmental Exposures and Exacerbation of Asthma: An Update to the 2000 Review by the Institute of Medicine.” January 1, 2015. Accessed April 7, 2023.

15 AAFA. “Nasal Allergies (Rhinitis).” Last updated October 2015. Accessed March 29, 2023.

16 Mayo Clinic. “Hay Fever.” Last updated July 7, 2022. Accessed March 30, 2023.

17 American Family Physician. “Diagnosing Rhinitis: Allergic vs. Nonallergic.” Published May 1. 2006. Accessed March 31, 2023.              

18 Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. “Occupational Rhinitis: Classification, Diagnosis and Therapeutics.” Published November 27, 2019. Accessed March 31, 2023.

19 NIOSH. “Treating work-related asthma.” Last reviewed February 14, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024.

20 NIOSH. “Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs).” Last reviewed September 20, 2019. Accessed April 12, 2023.

21 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Improving Indoor Air Quality.” Last updated July 6, 2022. Accessed April 10, 2023.

22 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). “Ventilation.” Accessed April 12, 2023.

23 OSHA. “1910.94 – Ventilation.” Accessed April 12, 2023.

24 Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. “Air Cleaners: What You Need to Know.” Last updated October 26, 2021. Accessed April 11, 2023.

25 Occupational Health and Safety. “Coping with Allergy Season.” April 16, 2012. Accessed April 12, 2023.

26 Mayo Clinic. “Allergy-proof your home.” Past updated December 22, 2022. Accessed April 12, 2023.

27 CDC. “Mold.” Last updated February 7, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024.

28 EKU Online. “Common Allergens in the Workplace and How to Avoid Them.” July 27, 2020. Accessed September 14, 2023.

29 NIOSH. “NIOSH Directory of Personal Protective Equipment.” Last reviewed August 2, 2021. Accessed April 13, 2023.

30 Tufts University. “TuftsNow: Are face masks helping people with allergies?” March 21, 2021. Accessed April 17, 2023.

31 OSHA. “Respiratory Protection.” Accessed April 17, 2023.

32 NIOSH. “Eye Safety.” Last reviewed July 29, 2013. Accessed August 12, 2024.

33 Oregon State University. “Allergy Mitigation and Personal Protective Equipment.” September 21, 2011. Accessed April 17, 2023.