Page 37 - Green Builder Magazine Nov-Dec 2019 Issue
P. 37
COGNITION Key Fact:
Dual Identity:
For many buyers healthy air
and green buildingn are
synonymous terms.
CREDIT: ABARNDWELLERFLICKR CREDIT: BRAUNSISTOCK Cognitive contributor. Cleaner indoor air quality
helps everyone do their jobs better, according to a
study by Harvard and Syracuse universities.
SOURCE: COGNITION SMART DATA Research: Poor Air Quality Makes It Hard to Think
Cognitive tests show that reducing VOCs boost mental performance.
N THE 1700S, Ben Franklin professed, “I am
cleaning products—that released volatile organic
knowledge economy.”
The researchers then conducted a second test
persuaded that no common air from outside is
and carbon dioxide levels in the air were reduced.
so unwholesome as the air inside a closed room compounds (VOCs) were minimized or eliminated; involving 100 knowledge workers. This one test
Ithat has been often breathed and not changed.” ■ The other work environment was a more evaluated the influence of using green-certified
Franklin appears to have been more than 250 conventional setting which met minimally cleaning solutions. Green cleaning solutions are
years ahead of his time when it comes to poor accepted IAQ standards. designed to protect IAQ.
indoor air quality (IAQ). This has been proven once Each day, the participants took tests mea- “We found that workers in buildings that used
again in a study conducted by researchers at suring their cognitive (thinking) functions. Test green certified [cleaning solutions] scored higher
Harvard and Syracuse universities. scores were higher across nine cognitive function on the tests,” the scientists reported.
In this study, the researchers enrolled 24 domains when workers were exposed to increased The takeaway is simple: Better indoor air
“knowledge workers,” people who were corporate ventilation rates, lower levels of chemicals and quality results in better [worker] performance—
managers, architects and designers. The workers lower carbon dioxide, according to the study. something the professional cleaning industry has
spent six days in a controlled work environment, “The results showed the biggest improve- known for years.
working from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. ments in areas that tested how workers used
During this time, the indoor air quality conditions the information to make strategic decisions and Article is courtesy of Mike Watt, director of training
fluctuated without their knowledge, shifting from: how they plan, stay prepared, and strategize dur- and new product development at Avmor, a leading
■ An optimized environment, where ventilation was ing crises,” the researchers noted. “These are North American manufacturer of professional cleaning
increased; chemicals and products—including exactly the skills needed to be productive in the solutions. He can be reached at mwatt@avmor.com.
www.greenbuildermedia.com November/December 2019 GREEN BUILDER 35
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