Architects and engineers are paying much more attention today to indoor air quality, as compared to 10 years ago. IEQ is a key part of the LEED rating system, of course, as well as the WELL Building Standard.
Indoor CO2 levels are of particular interest:
A study performed by researchers at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and Syracuse University established a link between indoor environmental conditions and cognitive function. To quote the Harvard press release:
"People who work in well-ventilated offices with below-average levels of indoor pollutants and carbon dioxide (CO2) have significantly higher cognitive functioning scores-in crucial areas such as responding to a crisis or developing strategy-than those who work in offices with typical levels"
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/green-office-environments-linked-with-higher-cognitive-function-scores/
Results of a similar study were published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives in 2012 under the headline - Is CO2 an Indoor pollutant?
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/action/cookieAbsent
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Charles DeLisio AIA
Project Manager / Senior Engineer
Michael Baker International
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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