Frequent use exposes a carpet to dirt. Sometimes, the carpets will not smell or look dirty even after prolonged usage. Yet, the carpets could have harmful toxins that present the health challenges discussed below.
1. Respiratory Illnesses
The constant movement of employees from the outside world to the office brings in different irritants. For instance, dead skin, animal fur, and dust find a habitat in dirty carpets. As your employees walk on the carpets, some particles dislodge and disperse into the air. As a result, your employees may experience persistent coughs, irritated throats, and breathing difficulties.
Prolonged exposure to microbes can cause asthma in people who do not have the condition. For people who already have asthma, the pathogens trigger reactions. Some common asthma symptoms from exposure to dirty carpets include congestion, runny nose, and watery eyes. Vacuum clean to reduce allergens. However, you will need professional cleanups to remove stubborn pathogens.
2. Skin Diseases
Continuous foot traffic accumulates dirt and fungi that affect the skin. As a result, your employees can develop skin redness and itchiness from harmful organisms in dirty carpets. In addition, pests like fleas and bedbugs can also reside in dirty carpets and bite employees.
The dirt in unclean carpets can enter your employees’ bodies through wounds and skin openings. As a result, your employees become at risk of skin asthma, eczema, and Athlete’s foot. Nonetheless, the conditions above are only a significant concern if your employees walk barefoot on the carpets.
3. Hypersensitivity
Mold and dust mites trigger and aggravate allergic reactions in people with sensitivities. Dust mites, for instance, thrive more in the presence of dead skin cells, fungi, and bacteria. Even when dead, dust mites are still inhalable and cause a stuffy nose, itchiness, and inflammation. Other hypersensitive reactions to the pathogens include cold-like symptoms.
Mold, especially black mold, is another common cause of reactions. The mold causes watery eyes, coughs, and sore throats. Unfortunately, mold continues to grow in carpet fibers and only stops after you take corrective measures. Therefore, the effects for employees with allergies may only disappear once you clean the carpet.
4. Compromised Immunity
Dirty carpets are a favorable breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens. Prolonged exposure to harmful microorganisms leaves your employees more vulnerable to illnesses. In addition, overworked immune systems result in fatigue, headaches, and ENT symptoms. Also, your employees’ immune systems will regularly fight off the particles and, with time, lack the robustness to fight off other pathogens.
Mycotoxins that live in dirty carpets also compromise your immune system. The mycotoxins can cause stomach infections and irritations. In worse cases, an overgrowth of mycotoxins can cause severe poisoning, kidney damage, and even death.
5. Mental Distress
A dirty work environment can cause discomfort that lowers employees’ morale. Additionally, such a work environment increases your employees’ stress levels. Frequent allergies and illnesses can also cause psychological distress to the victim.
Mental distress and other illnesses translate to more sick leaves for your employees, decreasing productivity. Therefore, besides the health concerns, you could make less profit than you would with a healthy workforce.
The only way to keep your employees safe from health hazards is to clean your carpets frequently. Therefore, contact professional carpet cleaners to clean commercial carpeted areas.
Here at
Trend, we have a host of professional cleaners to serve you and guarantee a spotless carpet free of pathogens. We also offer other office janitorial services as per your needs. We look forward to helping you with all your carpet cleaning and janitorial needs. Let us know of any questions or concerns you may have.