Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) recently published a study titled Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers: A Controlled Exposure Study of Green and Conventional Office Environments by Joseph Allen, Piers MacNaughton, Usha Satish, Suresh Santanam, Jose Vallarino and John Spengler. The study analyzed the cognitive function of twenty-four (24) participants who spent 6 full work days (9am to 5pm) in an environmentally controlled office space in order to determine if indoor environmental quality (IEQ) had any effect on cognitive function scores. Results indicated that cognitive function scores were significantly higher after participants spent time in the “green” building conditions compared to the conventional building conditions.
In the United States conventional office buildings are typically constructed using paints, coatings, sealants, and adhesives that emit high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These buildings also do not typically focus heavily on the importance of other IEQ factors such as ventilation, humidity and allergens. A “green” office building being built to meet the requirements of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) emphasizes the importance of indoor environmental quality by prohibiting smoking in the building, improving filtration and ventilation, managing indoor air quality during construction, selecting low-emitting materials, controlling indoor chemical and pollutant source control, and designing for thermal comfort and access to quality natural daylight and views.
During the study, the participants were exposed to indoor environmental quality conditions representative of conventional and “green” office buildings in the United States. According to the study’s results, on average, cognitive scores were 61% higher after one day and 101% higher after two days in the “green” building than days spent in the conventional building.
Even if your project is not pursing LEED certification, the City of Dallas recognizes the importance of indoor environmental quality and requires that indoor air quality (IAQ) in spaces that have been completed and are about to be occupied for the first time be tested. The testing results shall indicate that the levels of VOCs meet the levels in accordance with ASTM D 6196, 5466, 5197 and 6345, and ISO 7708.
Facility Performance Associates offers IAQ testing as a core service and will provide you with a comprehensive test report detailing relative humidity, carbon dioxide, particulates, total VOCs and carbon monoxide, ensuring your building is performing to its highest standards. Better indoor air quality means occupants are more comfortable, productive, health and happy. Please visit our website www.centreforbuildingperformance.com for more information.
