Indoor air quality (IAQ) is listed in the top 10 environmental threats by cited by the Environmental Protection Agency. Nearly everyone has heard of sick building syndrome, and bad air has a measurable impact on health and productivity. We have collected a series of studies and articles that begin to tell the story of poor indoor air quality. Unlike outdoor air, poor indoor air quality can be more difficult to detect. Having air conditioning doesn’t help unless the system includes proper filters, as the outdoor air – potentially filled with pollutants – is sucked indoors and circulated around the office. These studies will take you from offices, call centers, manufacturing and farms out lining the threat as particulate matter 2.5 and below, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and CO2.

Office air quality may affect employees’ cognition, productivity

The Effect of Pollution on Worker Productivity: Evidence from Call Center Workers in China

Particulate Pollution and the Productivity of Pear Packers

Studies showing productivity drops between 8-12% productivity from pear packers to traders. One report noted that 20-60% of workers in Denmark suffered from sick building syndrome. A theme in all the studies is the cleaner the air the better the outcome, be it health or productivity. Every day you can read that ventilation will correct for COVID. Remember that outside will make it inside. The most effective way to handle make-up air is to filter is at submicron levels so clean air enters the facility.

Polluting Our Productivity

The Effect of Air Pollution on Investor Behavior: Evidence from the S&P 500

Productivity and Indoor Air Quality

The performance and subjective responses of call-center operators with new and used supply air filters at two outdoor air supply rates

Higher Productivity Out Of Thin Air

Air pollution and worker productivity: Higher levels of air pollution reduce worker productivity, even when air quality is generally low

Brain Fog: Does Air Pollution Make Us Less Productive?

Dirty air impacts production at all levels.

Air Quality and Error Quantity: Pollution and Performance in a High-Skilled, Quality-Focused Occupation

Air pollution may be reducing workers' productivity

Air Quality and Manufacturing Firm Productivity: Comprehensive Evidence from China

The hidden air pollution inside your workplace

Our blog and news feed covers the healthy side of air daily. But because we mention health, we offer a study outlining risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You will find much more about the harm to human health by following our facebook, twitter or linkedin pages.

Particulate Emissions: Health Effects and Labour Market Consequences