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Harvard University researchers conducted a study in the USA that found a significant correlation between poor indoor air quality and decreased cognitive abilities and performance in office workers.<\/h2>\nHarvard University researchers conducted a study in the USA that found a significant correlation between poor indoor air quality and decreased cognitive abilities and performance in office workers.<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
They found that the negative health impact of air pollution, especially fine dust, is much greater than previously realised. As such, employers should prioritise the indoor air quality of their workplaces, using tools such as air quality monitoring<\/strong><\/a> and \u00a0mobile air purifiers<\/strong><\/a> to create a healthier and more productive work environment for their workforce.<\/p>\n Harvard University researchers conducted the Global CogFX study, which involved a 12-month examination of 302 office workers across six countries. The study used air quality monitors, including Trotec\u2019s BQ30, to measure real-time levels of fine dust (particle size 2.5\u00a0micrometres), carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity in the workplace. In addition, a custom mobile app was used to evaluate the cognitive abilities of the participants.<\/p>\n The study found that a 10\u00a0ug\/m3<\/sup> increase in the concentration of fine dust in indoor air resulted in a 1% decrease in cognitive performance, as indicated by slower and more incorrect responses in the tests. Similarly, an increase of 500\u00a0ppm in the concentration of CO2<\/sub> in the indoor air also caused a comparable decline in thinking skills among the study\u2019s participants<\/p>\n The emission sources of fine dust in workplaces include laser printers and modern 3D printers, as discovered in a US study conducted by the Illinois Institute of Technology and commissioned by the American health authority, CDC. The study found that some printers produced up to 20 times more ultra-fine dust than low-emission printers, primarily due to the materials used in printing (PLA and AMS plastics).<\/p>\n The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) states that sources of fine dust particles in addition to printers include inner-city motor vehicle traffic, power plants and nearby industrial facilities. These particles can enter indoor spaces through open windows, as well as by adhering to clothing and shoes, resulting in a measurable increase in pollution values.<\/p>\n The issue at hand is that while regular workplace ventilation is important to exchange stale air with fresh air and prevent symptoms of fatigue and discomfort due to increased CO2<\/sub> concentrations, it also introduces air pollutants such as fine dust particles from the outside into indoor spaces. This is especially true of industrial areas and urban areas with high traffic volumes, where additional measures to improve indoor air quality are required.<\/p>\n Employers can effectively protect against the negative effects of particulate matter in the workplace through simple and cost-effective measures.<\/p>\n Anyone who is interested in assessing the quality of the indoor air in their workplace, including the CO2<\/sub> concentration and fine dust pollution, as well as determining if measures need to be taken to improve air quality, can find all the necessary resources in the Trotec Online Shop.<\/p>\n Employers can rely on the practical BQ30 air quality monitor<\/strong><\/a> to keep an eye on the indoor air quality. This device measures both the CO2<\/sub> concentration in the room air and displays the measured value clearly on the LCD display. The measuring device is equipped with laser technology that can easily detect the tiniest air impurities in the form of PM2.5 and PM10 particles, measuring their concentration in micrograms per cubic metre. This makes it possible to immediately identify and visualize dangerous concentrations of fine dust particles in the indoor air.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trotec-blog.com\/en\/files\/2023\/04\/AirgoClean_One_Einsatz_04_square.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHarvard study: Fine dust in indoor air negatively impacts work performance<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nThe study\u2019s key finding was that as the levels of particulate matter and CO2<\/sub> in the office air increased, there was a measurable decrease in work performance among the participants<\/h3>\n
Consequences of poor indoor air in the workplace:<\/h3>\n
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Multiple causes of poor air quality<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nVentilation alone does not protect against bad air<\/h3>\n
Increase workplace productivity with good indoor air hygiene<\/h3>\n
Monitoring indoor air quality \u2013 keeping track of the air we breathe<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nThe BQ30\u2019s large colour LCD displays real-time data:<\/h3>\n
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Achieve clean air and low fine dust levels indoors with the AirgoClean\u00ae air purifier<\/h3>\n
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