The COGfx Study

The COGfx Study

HEALTHY BUILDINGS

The Impact of Buildings on Cognitive Function

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

What if indoor air quality could improve decision making?

Our Healthy Buildings research program is interested in how buildings can be leveraged to improve human performance. We’ve embarked on a multi-year research endeavor aimed at examining links between indoor air quality and cognitive function, in a series of studies, we call “The COGfx Study”.

Study 1:
In the Lab

In Study 1, the research team found cognitive function test scores doubled when participants were in simulated green building environments with enhanced ventilation as opposed to conventional building environments.

The Impact of Green Buildings on Cognitive Function

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Economic, Environmental and Health Implications of Enhanced Ventilation in Office Buildings

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Study 1 - Related News

Mar 21, 2017
Stale Office Air Is Making You Less Productive
View Article
Oct 30, 2015
Better Office Air Makes for Better Thinking
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Oct 28, 2015
The Air in There: Offices, and Issues, That Seem to Make Us Stupid
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Study 2:
In the United States

In Study 2, the research team examined real-world building environments to determine if the green certification of high-performing buildings could result in higher cognitive function scores and health benefits for occupants.

The impact of working in a green certified building on cognitive function and health

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Study 2 - Related News

Dec 1, 2015
New Research Quantifies Value of Increased Productivity from Improved IAQ
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Nov 25, 2015
Breathe Easier and Work Better in Today’s Energy Efficient Buildings
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Nov 18, 2015
Study proves value of good indoor air quality
View Article

Study 3:
In the World

In Study 3, 100 office buildings from around the world took part in a unique research project to examine the effects of global indoor environments on employee productivity and health.

The effects of ventilation and filtration on indoor PM2.5 in office buildings in four countries

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Associations between indoor exposures to Particulate Matter/Carbon Dioxide and cognitive function in office workers

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Indoor Chemical Contaminant Exposures Assessed Using Silicone Wristbands in the USA, UK, China and India

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