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2.3 Productivity and learning

2.3.1 Mental performance and indoor air quality

Investigations on the mental performance of occupants in office buildings and schools have shown that poor air quality reduces mental performance, while good air quality improves it (Seppanen and Fisk, 2006; Seppanen et al., 2009) - see Figure 2.3.1. 

It can be assumed that if the indoor environment was productive to work in, it would also support our ability to concentrate and stay focused elsewhere. At home, we engage in activities that require concentration - like reading, playing games and listening to music - that can be expected to benefit from an indoor environment that supports productivity. 

The performance of students in school depending on increasing the ventilation rate
Figure 2.3.1 The performance of students in schools improves when the air quality is improved by increasing the ventilation rate (Seppanen et al., 2009). 
Seppanen, O. Fisk, W. J. (2006) Some quantitative relations between indoor environmental quality and work performance or health, International Journal of HVACandR Research, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 957-973.
Seppanen, O., Fisk, W., Lei, Q. H. (2009) Ventilation and performance in office work, Indoor Air, vol. 18, pp. 28-36.