Creating a Safer, Healthier Office

Improve the air quality in your office for an invigorating work experience

Creating a Safer, Healthier Office

Imagine this: your team steps into a brand-new office, ready to kick off a productive chapter. The space is modern, the design is sleek, and everything looks perfect. But as the day unfolds, headaches creep in, a strange, pungent smell lingers, and people feel drained instead of energised. What’s going on?

The culprit might not be visible, but it’s there — in the air. That unmistakable “new office smell” often comes from formaldehyde, a hidden hazard found in many building materials and furnishings. Without the right precautions, this invisible intruder can impact not just the ambiance of your workspace but the health and well-being of everyone in it.

Thankfully, creating a healthier office is becoming easier, and Singapore’s upcoming regulatory changes are paving the road for safer workplaces nationwide. Starting 1 January 2026, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will prohibit the import, manufacture, and sale of interior paints with 0.01% or more formaldehyde by weight under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA). This progressive step unlocks new possibilities for fostering healthier environments, and as a forward-thinking company, you can take it even further.

Let’s uncover what formaldehyde is, why it’s a concern, and how you can create an office environment that’s not only beautiful but also safe and invigorating for your team.

What is formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a type of volatile organic compound (VOC) commonly found in paints and composite wood products like plywood, which often use adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. It’s valued for its adhesive and preservative properties that help to enhance durability and prevent fungal growth.

What are the hidden dangers of formaldehyde?

Like other VOCs emitted from household products (ranging from markers to cosmetics), formaldehyde evaporates easily into the air in a process known as off-gassing, which can occur over several months and even years after new products are created and installed. Prolonged exposure to this strong-smelling gas can cause respiratory symptoms, throat irritation and headaches. In severe cases, it may even result in formaldehyde poisoning, which poses serious health risks like nasopharyngeal cancer.

How can we reduce the risks of formaldehyde exposure?

Going the extra mile to create a fresh work environment for your team can go a long way to enhance comfort and productivity in the long run. Taking active preventive measures is critical — the last thing you want marring the anticipation of a new office space is the team falling sick by unwittingly inhaling formaldehyde. Here’s how you can reduce formaldehyde levels before and after moving into your new office.

Start at the source:

The best way to minimise formaldehyde exposure is at the beginning of your office design or renovation. Opt for materials with low formaldehyde and VOC emissions. At Conexus, we use E1 grade plywood and formaldehyde-free glue in all our carpentry works, ensuring your team breathes cleaner air from day one. The E1 grade standard, established by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), ensures that wood products emit minimal levels of formaldehyde, making them safe for indoor use and significantly lowering the health risks from formaldehyde exposure.

Based on our tests, such eco-friendly materials offer more than 50% reduction in formaldehyde and total VOC levels as compared to conventional materials, greatly improving the air quality of your office post-renovation.

Choose products with eco labels:

Eco labels can be your roadmap to safer choices. Type 1 eco-labels such as the Singapore Green Label and Thailand Green Label indicate that they have met strict environmental criteria across their entire life cycle, with independent certification for greater credibility.

Certain labels also require the products to have minimal formaldehyde emissions in order to be certified. For example, products certified with the Singapore Green Label by the Singapore Environment Council have low or non-detectable formaldehyde levels, while interior paints certified with the label will have no formaldehyde. The Sustainability Furniture Mark (SFM), an industry-led label by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council, also recognises companies whose products meet the stringent criteria for low formaldehyde emissions.

Ensure proper ventilation:

Proper ventilation is one of the simplest yet most effective strategies for reducing high concentrations of formaldehyde and VOCs. During and after office renovations, prioritise fresh air circulation by opening windows and doors whenever possible, while adhering to building regulations.

For commercial buildings where windows cannot be opened due to safety or structural restrictions, perform air purging before occupancy to rapidly remove formaldehyde and other pollutants. Ensure that the mechanical ventilation systems are properly maintained to have a continuous supply of fresh air circulating through the office.

Incorporate air-purifying plants:

Plants offer a simple yet powerful solution for natural air purification. Choose varieties such as the snake plant, rubber tree and pothos, which help to absorb formaldehyde, improve indoor air quality and brighten up the space for a refreshing work experience.

Use the right air purifiers:

Not all air purifiers can effectively eliminate formaldehyde. Those with HEPA filters are designed to trap dust particles and not gaseous pollutants like formaldehyde, thus, choose purifiers with activated carbon filters instead. Activated carbon is highly porous, enabling it to trap and break down formaldehyde molecules, reducing the formaldehyde smell and improving overall indoor air quality.

Keep your office cool and dry:

High temperature and humidity accelerate the release of formaldehyde in the office. To slow down its release, pair air conditioning with dehumidifiers for a comfortable, healthier work environment.

Seek help from professional firms:

If opening windows or relying on ventilation isn’t an option (common in large commercial buildings), consider engaging formaldehyde removal experts. These professionals use specialised equipment and processes to break down formaldehyde, reducing their levels. Their services ensure a clean work environment for immediate occupation, giving you peace of mind while protecting your team’s well-being.

The Conexus Commitment: A Cleaner, Greener Workplace Transformation

Collaborate with Conexus Studio to create a transformative office space designed with your team’s health in mind! With operations across Southeast Asia and offices in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, our award-winning interior design and build practice brings regional expertise and global standards to every project. Our designs are realised with low-VOC and low-formaldehyde materials, prioritising wellbeing and minimising environmental impact, without compromising on aesthetics.

Looking for office design inspiration? Check out our past projects for examples of how you can weave in nature and sustainable materials seamlessly into your workspace.

Ready to embark on your workplace transformation journey? Click here to reach out to us and get the ball rolling.