Improving Indoor Air Quality Improves the Performance of Office Work and School Work

Abstract

Recent studies show that improving indoor air quality (IAQ) from the mediocre level prevalent in many buildings worldwide improves the performance of office work by adults and the performance of schoolwork by children. These results constitute a strong incentive for providing indoor air of a quality that is better than the minimum levels required by present standards. IAQ can be improved by reducing the pollution load on the air by selecting low-polluting building and furnishing materials and electronic office equipment, as well as reducing pollution in ventilation systems, and/or by increasing the outdoor air supply rate. Although these measures can increase somewhat the costs of running the buildings, especially as regards energy costs, they are highly cost-effective and their implementation has a short pay-back time if the benefits from increased productivity are included in calculations. This is because the economic benefits from improved productivity exceed considerably the costs involved. New intelligent design of the building envelope and the ventilation systems with careful selection of building and furnishing materials, and the use of advanced methods for cleaning the air can further reduce the costs of providing high IAQ in future buildings. This will not only improve productivity and learning, but will in addition promote health and comfort.