Ventilation & Its Effects on Cognitive Skills

When you think about the fact that most of us spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, it’s clear that we should be thinking more about the quality of our indoor air. Indoor air quality (IAQ) sometimes takes a backseat, however, as many homeowners don’t even realize they have a problem on their hands until signs and symptoms become overbearingly obvious. Recent and shocking findings have come to light that should make all of us think twice before ignoring the importance of IAQ.

According to a study published by Environmental Health Perspectives, associations between ventilation and cognitive function were found to be quite strong. A total of 24 participants were exposed to blind test conditions simulating conventional environments (high VOCs), “green” building environments (low VOCs) and even green buildings with high outdoor ventilation rates, labeled as “Green+”. The results? 61% higher cognitive scores for participants in the green building environment, and a startling 101% higher rate for those in the Green+ environment. It appears that air quality has a stronger correlation to cognitive functioning than many experts realized.

The Importance of Good Indoor Air Quality

Proper cognitive functioning is essential for performing daily work-related responsibilities. When cognitive function begins to suffer, so too does everything else that surrounds us. CO2 and other volatile compounds can cause a number of different health problems, most notably a decrease in cognitive abilities. Unfortunately, poor indoor air quality is a common condition found in both home and office environments, and many of us are exposed to toxic air on a regular basis.

If all seems hopeless, it’s important to realize that there are things you can do to improve indoor air quality in your home or office space, and it all starts with installing a heat recovery ventilator.

Ventilation Products from Zehnder

At Zehnder, we believe that the health and safety of you and your family are paramount. Our heat recovery ventilator products help to improve indoor air quality and remove toxic chemicals from your living space. Installing an HRV comes along with a number of health benefits, especially for those who regularly suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions. Read about the other health benefits of our HRVs to learn how our products can take the threat of poor indoor air quality out of the picture.

Don’t let poor IAQ affect your ability to think clearly. Contact Zehnder today to learn more about the benefits of our ventilation products.