3 ms·

Elevated CO2 levels have a noticeable impact on human cognitive ability. Indoor environments obviously have higher CO2 levels vs outdoor, but certain offices ma

by pcr0 9y ago

Elevated CO2 levels have a noticeable impact on human cognitive ability. Indoor environments obviously have higher CO2 levels vs outdoor, but certain offices may have worse than typical indoor levels due to poor ventilation. https://thinkprogress.org/exclusive-elevated-co2-levels-directly-affect-human-cognition-new-harvard-study-shows-2748e7378941/ https://thinkprogress.org/exclusive-elevated-co2-levels-dire...

Defenestresque 9y ago
The linked article is fascinating. "They found that, on average, a typical participant’s cognitive scores dropped 21 percent with a 400 ppm increase in CO2." If this result is reproducible, this is quite concerning considering: "In surveys of elementary school classrooms in California and Texas, average CO2 concentrations were above 1,000 ppm, a substantial proportion exceeded 2,000 ppm, and in 21% of Texas classrooms peak CO2 concentration exceeded 3,000 ppm."
rubicon33 9y ago
Interesting, I had no idea. Do you think it's worth getting a CO2 monitor for a home office? I don't usually have the windows open since it's cold out. Is one person enough to elevate a small 10x10 office to cognitive impairing levels?
- pcr0 9y ago
  I doubt you'll need one. It's typically a concern when sqft/person is < 80, as is often the case in open-office plans and classrooms. Just try to open the window at least once a day.
- zupa-hu 9y ago
  I disagree. It _may_ be totally worth it depending on the place. (Eg. what heating system you use, how many electronic devices there are, how big the room is.) I'd say do a little test: open the windows; if (it feels refreshing) { get one }. Disclosure: I'm not an expert, simply got interested in this lately as I strongly feel its impact on my productivity.
- Shank 9y ago
  It’s a small investment and probably worth it if you already suspect bad ventilation. Within seconds of plugging a CO2 monitor into my bedroom outlet, the monitor was registering 1200ppm — and that was without any humans in it prior.

by pcr0 9y ago

Defenestresque 9y ago

The linked article is fascinating. "They found that, on average, a typical participant’s cognitive scores dropped 21 percent with a 400 ppm increase in CO2." If this result is reproducible, this is quite concerning considering: "In surveys of elementary school classrooms in California and Texas, average CO2 concentrations were above 1,000 ppm, a substantial proportion exceeded 2,000 ppm, and in 21% of Texas classrooms peak CO2 concentration exceeded 3,000 ppm."

rubicon33 9y ago

Interesting, I had no idea. Do you think it's worth getting a CO2 monitor for a home office? I don't usually have the windows open since it's cold out. Is one person enough to elevate a small 10x10 office to cognitive impairing levels?

pcr0 9y ago
I doubt you'll need one. It's typically a concern when sqft/person is < 80, as is often the case in open-office plans and classrooms. Just try to open the window at least once a day.
zupa-hu 9y ago
I disagree. It _may_ be totally worth it depending on the place. (Eg. what heating system you use, how many electronic devices there are, how big the room is.) I'd say do a little test: open the windows; if (it feels refreshing) { get one }. Disclosure: I'm not an expert, simply got interested in this lately as I strongly feel its impact on my productivity.
Shank 9y ago
It’s a small investment and probably worth it if you already suspect bad ventilation. Within seconds of plugging a CO2 monitor into my bedroom outlet, the monitor was registering 1200ppm — and that was without any humans in it prior.