Written byThe Wellness
Published
Last reviewed
CategoryEnvironment

How Indoor Air Quality Affects Workplace Cognitive Performance

Poor air quality reduces cognitive performance by 15%. Understand the air-performance connection and practical improvements for your workplace environment.

Air quality and cognitive function

Harvard research shows employees in well-ventilated offices with low CO2 levels score 61% higher on cognitive function tests. CO2 levels above 1000ppm (common in poorly ventilated offices) reduce decision-making performance by 15%. Simple monitoring and ventilation improvements deliver significant productivity returns.

Key pollutants affecting performance

Harvard research shows employees in well-ventilated offices with low CO2 levels score 61% higher on cognitive function tests. CO2 levels above 1000ppm (common in poorly ventilated offices) reduce decision-making performance by 15%. Simple monitoring and ventilation improvements deliver significant productivity returns.

CO2 levels and decision-making

Harvard research shows employees in well-ventilated offices with low CO2 levels score 61% higher on cognitive function tests. CO2 levels above 1000ppm (common in poorly ventilated offices) reduce decision-making performance by 15%. Simple monitoring and ventilation improvements deliver significant productivity returns.

Assessment and measurement

Harvard research shows employees in well-ventilated offices with low CO2 levels score 61% higher on cognitive function tests. CO2 levels above 1000ppm (common in poorly ventilated offices) reduce decision-making performance by 15%. Simple monitoring and ventilation improvements deliver significant productivity returns.

Ventilation improvements

Harvard research shows employees in well-ventilated offices with low CO2 levels score 61% higher on cognitive function tests. CO2 levels above 1000ppm (common in poorly ventilated offices) reduce decision-making performance by 15%. Simple monitoring and ventilation improvements deliver significant productivity returns.

Filtration and purification

Harvard research shows employees in well-ventilated offices with low CO2 levels score 61% higher on cognitive function tests. CO2 levels above 1000ppm (common in poorly ventilated offices) reduce decision-making performance by 15%. Simple monitoring and ventilation improvements deliver significant productivity returns.

Plant and biophilic approaches

Harvard research shows employees in well-ventilated offices with low CO2 levels score 61% higher on cognitive function tests. CO2 levels above 1000ppm (common in poorly ventilated offices) reduce decision-making performance by 15%. Simple monitoring and ventilation improvements deliver significant productivity returns.

Measuring air quality ROI

Harvard research shows employees in well-ventilated offices with low CO2 levels score 61% higher on cognitive function tests. CO2 levels above 1000ppm (common in poorly ventilated offices) reduce decision-making performance by 15%. Simple monitoring and ventilation improvements deliver significant productivity returns.

Key Takeaway: Air quality cognitive impact: high CO2 reduces performance 15%, target under 1000ppm, improve ventilation, add filtration, and monitor regularly.

A private GP for every person on your payroll

From £12 per employee per month. Named GMC registered doctors the same day, by video across the UK and in person in Marylebone. Start with ten people for a month.