General
Chinese Office Workers Adopt Extreme Measures Against 'Office Aging'
Employees in China are using umbrellas, masks, and heavy sunscreen indoors to combat perceived skin damage and fatigue caused by office environments.
According to a report by Khaosod Online, a growing trend among Chinese office workers involves taking extreme protective measures against what they describe as 'office aging.' Social media users, including a worker from Jiangsu province, have shared experiences of skin darkening and eye fatigue after only short periods of employment. To counter this, employees are increasingly using umbrellas at their desks, wearing hats and masks, and applying thick layers of sunscreen while working indoors.
Experts suggest that the phenomenon may be linked to office lighting, specifically cool-toned lights intended to keep staff alert, which some believe contributes to physical discomfort. Furthermore, environmental factors such as dry air, poor ventilation, and high carbon dioxide levels in enclosed spaces are cited as potential contributors to both physical and mental exhaustion. This trend echoes concerns regarding 'Sick Building Syndrome,' a term previously recognized by the World Health Organization.
For residents and travelers, this highlights the intense focus on workplace wellness and environmental health in modern Chinese corporate culture. While these individual protective measures are becoming a viral topic, it remains to be confirmed whether the specific lighting and air quality conditions in these offices are the primary cause of the reported skin and health issues, or if other external factors are at play.