It is common knowledge among building managers and the maintenance community that installation of proper HVAC can improve indoor air quality. A recent study by the Harvard University aimed to look at how cognitive functions were impacted by exposure to real time indoor concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
The study analyzed the cognitive functions of 302 office workers in Urban in commercial buildings across six countries (China, India, Mexico, Thailand, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom) for a 12-month period using the Stroop color word test and Addition-Subtraction (ADD) via an online research application.
Some of the findings of the study include:
A significant association between higher indoor PM2.5 levels decreased performance in Stroop response time, interference time, and throughput, and lower ADD throughput.
An association between higher CO2 levels in office buildings and decreased work performance in all Stroop test metrics and increased ADD response times and
Measure of sensitivity and magnitude found the associations between indoor PM2.5 and lower cognitive performance which supports the existence of acute effects of PM2.5 exposures on cognitive function.
Benefits on cognitive function from reducing exposures to PM2.5 and CO2 indoors, either by filtration or higher ventilation rates, may positively impact productivity, educational attainment, safety, and other endeavors where cognitive performance is important. In addition to the well-established health benefits from lower PM2.5 levels (e.g. reductions in cardiovascular disease, asthma attacks, premature mortality), and from higher ventilation rates (e.g. reduced infectious disease transmission, fewer sick-building symptoms, and reduced absenteeism), the findings provide further incentive to improve air quality in indoor spaces. Higher ventilation rates and enhanced filtration that exceed current minimum targets are important public health strategies.
