Here's a surprising factor that makes employees unproductive in office

Of all the things that affect an employee’s ability to work in the office, this factor might not come to your mind.

Researchers including those from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health say that air quality inside the office space can significantly impact the cognitive function of workers. Everything from response times, ability to focus and overall productivity can be affected by air quality.

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Studying offices across six countries for one year, the research linked higher concentration of PM 2.5 and lower ventilation rates with reduced response times and reduced accuracy on a series of cognitive tests. 300 office workers in cities across China, India, Mexico, Thailand, UK and the U.S. were studied.

The study also confirmed how low ventilation rates negatively impact cognitive function. Scientists added that indoor air ventilation isn’t just key to slowing the spread of infectious diseases like Covid-19 but it may also be the foundation for improving public health and business strategy moving forward.

Published in Environmental Research Letters, the study adds to a growing body of evidence proving that both indoor and outdoor air pollution diminish brain health.

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