Foul Odors Negatively Impact Schools and Colleges According to New Poll

Schools can easily become a stinky place if the source of bad odors aren’t properly addressed. A new poll from Oxy-Gen Powered, an odor eliminating solutions company, shows those foul odors can negatively impact educational environments.

According to the survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll, a majority of survey-takers (93%) say a foul odor would negatively impact their perception of an organization. When it comes to schools and colleges in particular, 55% of the survey-takers say a foul odor would negatively impact their perception of the educational institution.

“No building occupant or visitor wants to be greeted with an unpleasant smell in a lobby, restroom or anywhere else in a facility,” Andy Piucci, Vice President of Sales – North America at Oxy-Gen Powered, said in a statement. “This research highlights the risk organizations take when they fail to properly eliminate indoor odors caused by urine, feces, kitchens, mold, mildew, pets and more.”

The survey also polled how foul odors impact people’s perception of hotels, retail stores, entertainment venues, office buildings, and gym/fitness centers.

Once people encounter bad odors, many change their mind about the facility and take steps to avoid it in the future. More than half of those polled (56%) say after experiencing a foul odor in a facility they would assume the facility is not clean. More than half would look for an alternative facility. Half would spend less time in the facility, 46% would tell friends, family or colleagues about it and about 34% said they would never return to the facility again.

The survey was conducted from January 9-13, 2020 and polled 2,013 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

You can find more information about Oxy-Gen Powered and their line of odor eliminating solutions at www.oxygenpowered.com.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Texas District Finishes Construction on New Middle School, Admin Building

    The Westwood Independent School District recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Westwood Middle School and Administration Building in Palestine, Texas, according to a news release. The campus covers 106,000 square feet and has the capacity for 650 students in grades 6–8, and it will also play home to the district’s staff and administration.

  • Brightly Software, XOi Partner for New HVAC Data Solution

    Siemens company Brightly Software recently announced a partnership with data intelligence company XOi to integrate real-time HVAC system data into Brightly’s Asset Essentials CMMS, according to a news release. The integration will allow facilities more insight into HVAC system performance, health, and risk across their operations.

  • Inglewood Unified School District Breaks Ground on New High School

    The Inglewood Unified School District in Inglewood, Calif., recently broke ground on a new campus for Inglewood High School, according to a news release. The project has a budget of about $240 million, funding coming through bond proceeds from Measure I.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.