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Impact of Carbon Dioxide on Human Decision Making and Productivity
Start Date 05/01/2007
End Date 04/30/2009
Primary Partner: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Primary Contact: Satish, Usha - Professor
Other Project Contacts: Fisk, William
Project Type: CARTI II
Technical Description:
Human performance and productivity in indoor environments is of paramount importance to the indoor air management area. As stated in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency document, Program Needs in Indoor Environmental Research, the information from this research (productivity) could substantially energize the motivational potential of program material in virtually every program area (US EPA, 2005). This proposed research effort will study the implications of direct impacts of low levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) on people’s decision making and perceptions of indoor air quality (IAQ). This research will also provide a better understanding of how perceived air quality (PAQ) and health symptoms relate to human performance. If we can establish more confidence in the linkages of PAQ and symptoms with human performance, we will be better positioned to interpret the significance of existing research on the risk factors for symptoms of poorer PAQ.
Expected Outcomes:
If direct effects are confirmed, our interpretations of prior research on ventilation and health will need to change and CO2 will need to be considered directly as a pollutant in the setting of minimum ventilation rate standards. In addition, if CO2 directly affects people, there will be minimum required ventilation rates per person, even when extensive pollutant source control measures and air cleaning are used to control other indoor generated air pollutants. This is particularly compelling since researchers and industry are presently seeking to develop means of reducing building ventilation requirements to save energy through advancements in air cleaning and pollutant source control.
Accomplishments:
All simulation protocol requirements for the study and data collection have been completed as per study protocol.
Benefits:
This research will lead to a better understanding how varying levels of CO2 may effect worker productivity and how to quantify it. This in turn may have a significant impact on the development of future indoor ventilation requirements and design.
For more information: http://www.upstate.edu/faculty/?ID=satishu
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