How Indoor Environment Affects Performance

As experienced researchers in the effects of thermal comfort and indoor air quality on performance, we are often asked to give our best estimate of how, and to what extent, performance is affected by different aspects of indoor climate. This article provides a brief summary of our personal opinions, in the form of answers to 40 frequently asked questions. Our answers are based on the results of behavioral experiments conducted to date. We offer no opinions on long-term health effects of indoor environmental quality. We provide some references to relevant sources, but there is not enough space for all such references. We list some questions we cannot answer as topics for future research in this area.

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[6]  Z. Lian,et al.  Effects of thermal discomfort in an office on perceived air quality, SBS symptoms, physiological responses, and human performance. , 2011, Indoor air.

[7]  Pawel Wargocki,et al.  The Effects of Electrostatic Particle Filtration and Supply-Air Filter Condition in Classrooms on the Performance of Schoolwork by Children (RP-1257) , 2008 .

[8]  Povl Ole Fanger,et al.  Experimental Determination of the Limiting Criteria for Human Exposure to Low Winter Humidity Indoors (RP-1160) , 2006 .

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[10]  Derek Clements-Croome,et al.  Ventilation rates in schools and pupils' performance , 2012 .

[11]  D K Milton,et al.  Risk of sick leave associated with outdoor air supply rate, humidification, and occupant complaints. , 2000, Indoor air.

[12]  D P Wyon,et al.  Effects of moderate heat stress on driver vigilance in a moving vehicle. , 1996, Ergonomics.

[13]  Pawel Wargocki,et al.  The performance and subjective responses of call-center operators with new and used supply air filters at two outdoor air supply rates. , 2004, Indoor air.

[14]  O Seppänen,et al.  Ventilation and performance in office work. , 2006, Indoor air.

[15]  W. Fisk,et al.  Is CO2 an Indoor Pollutant? Direct Effects of Low-to-Moderate CO2 Concentrations on Human Decision-Making Performance , 2012, Environmental health perspectives.