How Air Pollution Affects the Cognitive Abilities and Productivity of Employees

The Impact of Exposure to Air Pollution on Cognitive Performance’ published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) of the US, the result of a study conducted on a large population in China last year concludes that “polluted air may impede cognitive ability as people become older”. Studies around the world have corroborated this finding - that exposure to high amounts of air pollution can negatively impact the cognitive functioning of adults.

Professionals today working out of high-rise glass-fronted office buildings are easily lulled into thinking that the rarified environs of their workplace are pollution-free – unaware that many of them could well be breathing dangerous air. Many are also unmindful of the far-reaching consequences of indoor air pollution, including its effect on specific domains such as verbal learning, attention, logical and short-term memory and overall functioning. The quality of indoor air at the workplace is therefore of central importance since most individuals working full time at least spend a third of their day or more at the workplace, five or six days a week.

Alarm triggers by way of recent WHO reports and other dismaying figures are now giving a wake-up call to executives and office goers in India’s main metros, prompting them to prioritize their wellness in the face of the challenge posed by indoor pollution. So while employees negotiate solutions for their workspaces with HR or facilities manager – the reasons for this scenario are not hard to identify.

Effects of Pollution on Cognition

Cause & Impact

Particulate matter (PM)

Particulate matter is what people usually think of when they hear the word ‘pollution.’ Particulate matter (PM) can be made up of many different materials including acids, metals, dust particles, organic chemicals and allergens. Current research shows that exposure to PM2.5 (also called fine dust) impairs memory, concentration, and decision-making capabilities. Exposure at a young age can also delay cognitive development.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), or volatile organic compounds, originate from common indoor items prevalent in most workplaces - such as carpets, paint, flooring, and cleaning supplies. As these things age, they release toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. VOCs impair one’s memory, reduce coordination and can cause headaches while prolonged exposure can significantly damage the liver, lungs, and central nervous system, resulting in permanent impairment of cognitive and motor abilities.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

CO2 itself is harmless but may produce short-term cognitive impairments at high enough concentrations. When this occurs, it is easy for an already stressed employee to lose focus, get headaches, and feel fatigued. CO2 levels are usually prevalent in office meeting rooms and schools alike. While the effects of carbon dioxide can be mitigated through fresh air, research shows that consistent exposure to moderately high levels may have a lasting impact.

The Business Costs of Air Pollution

Corporates too are now confronted with the impact of pollution on performance and productivity. From the perspective of a business, how do those translate to tangible costs to businesses and economies? While researchers are discovering new detriments every day, there are some confirmed productivity gaps in the workforce, caused by air pollution that can cost companies to a significant extent.

Sick leave & absences

Air pollution, especially particulate matter, can have a range of physical and cognitive effects. In a business setting, this can translate to more sick days.

As people’s existing health conditions such as asthma get exacerbated, they are likelier to take more days off work. And because pollution alters the immune system, recovery can also be potentially delayed. The result? More people abstaining from work for longer periods. Not only does this increase costs with no corresponding increase in productivity, but it can also break up lines of communication and disrupt delivery schedules as the affected person is away from work.

Decreased productivity

Researchers at Harvard uncovered a 5-6 per cent dip in productivity due to particulate matter pollution. While this may not seem significant, its effects are cumulative.

For someone who works eight hours a day, five days a week, and fifty weeks a year, this is roughly equivalent to:

· Arriving about 20 minutes late to work every day

· Leaving two to three hours early every Friday

· Taking up to fifteen days off each year

The loss of concentration and memory impairment caused by VOCs and CO2, respectively, have already been explained. Decreased memory capacity will make it difficult for employees to multitask and process information. This all adds up to lower productivity, which translates to lower revenue.

Decision-making & risk aversion

Decision-making, a cognitive skill, declines with exposure to pollution. As this ability decreases, people’s confidence in their decisions also starts to drop. Moreover, unnecessarily risk-averse decision-making can make businesses lose out on key opportunities, especially when taken in context with the larger picture. Under the effects of pollution, managers may overestimate the risk involved with an investment or fail to consider the full potential of a project. This could make the company lose out on the deal and potential benefits from taking the risk.

Furthermore, for top talent, indoor air pollution can play a role in retention. If given a choice, most people will choose to work in an environment that values their health and wellness. Top talent leaving means an increase in the operating costs of businesses.

In view of all the damaging evidence, it can be concluded that air pollution can severely compromise the cognitive abilities and effectiveness of employees in the workplace. So, how can the problem be managed?

The first step is to understand the issue of air pollution by investing in an air quality monitor. An organization could also consider hiring a professional to assess the pollution conditions in the building though air quality monitors are a good lower-cost option. Once information regarding the quality of the air inside and outside of the building is gained, an organization is better equipped to take steps to prevent pollution from taking its toll on business.

To conclude, in India some progress has been made on this front. But it is too sporadic and too few. Clearly, making workplaces more productive by managing air pollution is still work-in-progress.

About the Author - 

An environmental crusader, Nita Soans is the India CEO for Kaiterra, with a vision to contribute towards creating awareness about the drastic downfall of the air quality in the country. Nita oversees the overall operations of the company, including sales, partnerships, legal, finance and research. Nita and her team’s focus in India will be to build the brand in India and widen the customer base while also setting up and monitoring outdoor air quality monitor across Delhi NCR to aid more detailed research aimed towards solving North India’s air pollution problem.