Nearly one in three people in France suffers from pollen allergies, according to Atmo France, which now publishes a national pollen index to help monitor daily risk. In office environments, this figure becomes very tangible: repeated sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, red eyes, fatigue, and breathing discomfort can all disrupt the working day and reduce employee comfort. Santé.fr also notes that seasonal allergic rhinitis is often accompanied by conjunctivitis, headaches, and fatigue.
Why do pollen allergies affect the working day?
Seasonal allergies are not just a temporary discomfort. They can affect breathing, vision, overall well-being, and the ability to stay fully focused. In the workplace, they may lead to more frequent breaks, reduced attention during meetings, increased fatigue, and a general feeling of poor indoor air quality for sensitive employees. The most common symptoms include an itchy nose, sneezing, clear nasal discharge, watery or red eyes, and unusual tiredness.
On top of that, the indoor environment itself also plays a role. In office settings, the INRS reminds us that a sufficient supply of fresh air is necessary in workspaces, and that poor ventilation can contribute to lower concentration and alertness. During pollen season, offices therefore face an even greater indoor air quality challenge.
Managing indoor air quality more effectively during pollen season
The right response is not to stop airing out spaces, but to ventilate more intelligently. The French Health Insurance authority recommends keeping windows closed when pollen levels are high and opening them early in the morning or later in the evening instead. For businesses, this means organizing ventilation times more carefully, monitoring high-exposure days, and checking that ventilation systems are working properly.
Public tools are also useful here. Atmo France provides a national map to check air quality near you, with both the ATMO index and the pollen index updated daily. This makes it possible to integrate pollen risk into workplace management routines, just like the weather or temperature.
An air purifier to better protect employees : Shield
When pollen season begins, airing and ventilation remain essential, but they are not always enough to preserve the comfort of allergy sufferers. A suitable air purifier can provide additional support by reducing the presence of allergens in occupied spaces and helping create a more breathable working environment.
This is exactly the role of our Shield by JVD range. It is designed to act on allergens, contaminants, pollutants, and odors in professional environments. Regarding allergies, tests carried out by an independent laboratory in accordance with the NF B44-200 protocol showed a destruction rate of 79% to 96% of allergenic proteins from cats, dust mites, and pollen within 10 minutes.
Our Shield air purifier range is also designed to match different uses. Shield acts as a collective shield in shared spaces, covering areas from 20 to 60 m², while Shield Compact has been designed as a personal shield, closer to the workstation, for areas up to 20 m². It helps create a bubble of cleaner air around an employee in a private office or small room.
Shield
Collective
Shield Compact
Individual
| Room size | Example of space | Number of people | Recommended number of Shield units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 m² | Private office | 1 | 1 Shield Compact |
| Up to 20 m² | Small consulting room, interview room | 2 to 3 | 1 Shield Compact ou 1 Shield |
| 20 to 60 m² | Meeting room, shared office, reception, waiting room | 3 to 10 | 1 Shield |
| 60 to 120 m² | Open-plan office, coworking space, agency, training room | 10 to 20 | 2 Shield |
| 120 to 180 m² | Trading room, call center, large administrative office floor | 20 to 30 | 3 Shield |
| 180 to 240 m² | Large open-plan office, showroom, high-traffic reception area | 30 to 40 | 4 Shield |
| 240 ti 300 m² | Office floor, multi-workstation space, large open area | 40+ | 5 Shield |
Creating a more breathable workplace during pollen season
For businesses, taking pollen allergies into account means improving day-to-day comfort for teams and better supporting sensitive employees during the most critical periods. Monitoring the pollen index, adapting airing practices, maintaining efficient ventilation, and complementing these best practices with an air purifier can more effectively limit the impact of allergies in office environments.
With Shield, we provide a practical answer to this need by helping companies offer healthier, more comfortable indoor air during pollen season in offices, meeting rooms, and shared spaces.
We are here to help
Whether you need product information or expert advice, feel free to contact us for a video call or a phone discussion.
