People spend about 90% of the time indoors. Therefore, the indoor built environment plays a critical role in our health and our ability to function at our jobs and as people. A major study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Center for Health and the Global Environment was designed to evaluate the effects of different indoor environmental quality parameters found in green and conventional buildings on human performance. See: http://www.chgeharvard.org/resource/impact-green-buildings-cognitive-function
The study had 24 people spend 6 full work-days in different controlled office environments, representative of conventional and “green” office buildings. Participants spent time in office space either with indoor air containing a “conventional” concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs); indoor air with a much lower concentration of VOCs typical of “green” buildings; or indoor air with the lower concentration of VOCs and an enhanced ventilation rate. Participants were not told what the conditions were in which they were working.
At the end of each day, participants were tested to evaluate live decision making capabilities by simulating real-world scenarios. On average, cognitive scores were 61% better for workers exposed to indoor air with lower VOC concentrations compared to conventional air quality and were 101% higher for workers exposed to the lower VOC concentration with the enhanced ventilation compared to those exposed to the conventional VOC concentration and ventilation.
Additional studies were performed exposing workers to different indoor levels of CO2 and determining performance. Correlation of improved performance to green building scenarios was also measured.
These studies provide further demonstration that properties that lead a building to be designated as “green” have real-time positive effect on a person’s performance in the workplace and on health.
CCES can help your buildings evaluate and implement changes to become more “green” and maximize the positive benefits of such upgrades, such as tenant performance and happiness, cost savings, reduced O&M, etc. Contact us for more information today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.