Podiatrists: What are the occupational risks linked to indoor air quality and how to protect against them?

Candice Plana has been a podiatrist for 13 years. Based in Talence, Gironde, she took over her father’s practice five years ago, which has been operating since 1973.

In an interview with NatéoSanté, she explains the occupational risks faced by podiatrists, the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) on health, and how she decided to protect herself by choosing professional air purifiers.

Practitioners Highly Exposed to Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds

The podiatry profession is among the most exposed to indoor air pollution, as the job involves the use of various chemical products and exposes practitioners to fine particles.

In the orthotic workshop, the air is highly polluted due to the use of glues and solvents.

Additionally, both the consultation room and waiting area are constantly occupied by patients throughout the day, who may cross paths and act as potential carriers of viruses or illnesses, especially during the winter months.

Candice Plana’s clinic has been open for around fifty years, and its walls, floors, and furniture have also been subjected to this air pollution for just as long, gradually absorbing these harmful compounds.

The occupational risks faced by podiatrists related to indoor air quality (IAQ) are numerous:

• Respiratory issues (asthma, allergies, nasal polyps, etc.)
• Unpleasant odours (which also affect patients)
• Headaches
• Eye irritation

‘My father, who previously worked in the clinic, developed nasal polyps from years of inhaling indoor air pollutants. Naturally, I want to avoid contracting a similar condition, which is why I am focused on preventing risks related to indoor air quality,’ explains Candice Plana.”

Patients Bothered by Unpleasant Odours in the Clinic

The glues, solvents, and chemicals used daily by podiatrists are also sources of undesirable odours.
An unpleasant smell indicates the presence of air pollution. It’s an early warning sign that shouldn’t be overlooked. These odours can be more or less bothersome, especially for patients who aren’t frequently exposed to the products used in podiatry clinics.

‘I received many complaints from patients about the odours bothering them—odours I no longer noticed, except when working in the gluing area of my workshop. The clinic has existed for 50 years, so the smells were deeply ingrained,‘ explains Candice Plana.

NatéoSanté Air Purifiers: Exclusive Technology That Eliminates Indoor Air Pollution

In her search for solutions to prevent occupational illnesses in the podiatry profession, Candice Plana aimed to equip her clinic with professional air purifiers that are not only effective but also easy to install and use.

Initially, she wanted to assess the clinic’s pollution levels to gauge the degree of contamination that had seeped into the walls, floors, and furniture after decades of exposure.

The levels of VOCs and particles took months to decrease with the EOLIS Air Manager in Candice Plana’s clinic, demonstrating how deeply embedded the pollutants were.

Candice turned to NatéoSanté and its range of professional air purifiers for several reasons: ‘I was drawn to the fact that they are French-made, ensuring easier after-sales service. I also chose these air purifiers for their modern, sleek design, the quality of the materials and components, particularly the multi-layer filter block, which effectively purifies the clinic’s air.’

After thorough discussions with a NatéoSanté indoor air quality expert, she tested the solution by installing two EOLIS Air Manager 1200S devices: one in the 36m² consultation and treatment room, and one in the 12m² insole workshop.

‘In my clinic, it took about nine months for the VOC and PM2.5 sensors to drop to their lowest levels, clearly showing how deeply the pollutants were ingrained in the premises.’
— Candice Plana, Podiatrist

Equipped with an exclusive filtration system (virucidal filter, ultra-high-density activated carbon filter, HEPA filter, and oxidation filter) as well as advanced technologies like UV-C and active oxygen, the EOLIS Air Manager is the professional air purifier designed for highly polluted environments, such as podiatry clinics. It tackles all sources of pollution, whether chemical (VOCs), organic (micro-organisms), or particulate.

The EOLIS Air Manager’s Air Treatment System Tackles All Sources of Pollution

Benefits Observed Both Short- and Long-Term

Once the VOC and PM2.5 levels returned to acceptable levels, the professional air purifier maintained healthy indoor air quality, eliminating unpleasant odours and protecting both the practitioner and her patients from potential health risks. An immediate difference was felt after the devices were installed: ‘I no longer receive complaints from patients about odours. The presence of air purifiers is also reassuring for both them and me, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.’

Conclusion

Podiatry clinics are exposed to high concentrations of various pollution sources, particularly fine particles and chemical compounds.

To protect themselves from this repeated exposure and provide the best possible care environment for their patients, practitioners must monitor and maintain good indoor air quality in their premises.

A specialist in indoor air quality since 2009, NatéoSanté offers a range of air purifiers specifically designed for professionals working in highly polluted environments. With this expertise, we support podiatrists in improving the indoor air quality of their clinics.