Well-being of building users

Poor indoor air quality doesn't just affect our health—it also impacts our brain function and productivity. Research from the Technical University of Denmark found that poor air quality can reduce office worker performance by 6–9%. A recent Harvard study involving 302 office workers across six countries confirmed these findings, showing that higher levels of air pollutants like PM2.5 and CO2 were linked to slower response times and reduced accuracy in work tasks. These studies highlight the importance of maintaining good air quality in workplaces to support both employee health and productivity.

Poor indoor air quality not only affects our health but also impairs our ability to think clearly and make strategic decisions. A study by researchers from Maastricht and Cambridge Universities examined the performance of chess players during tournaments. They found that when indoor air quality worsened, players were more likely to make mistakes. Specifically, a modest increase in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) led to a 26.3% higher chance of players making errors.The study also revealed that the negative effects of poor air quality became even more pronounced when players were under time pressure. This finding has important implications for professionals who need to make quick, strategic decisions in their work.

Biospheric Air Treatment technology offers a solution to remove airborne pollutants, improve cognitive functions and create a more productive work environment for building occupants.

Sinus infections, asthma, and allergies significantly impact workplace productivity and the economy. The The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that sinus infections cause an average of four missed workdays per year. Besides this the American Lung Association reports that asthma leads to about 14.5 million lost workdays annually in the U.S. The financial burden of asthma alone in the U.S. is staggering, exceeding $81.9 billion per year. A study in Finland found that employees with allergic rhinitis took an average of 3.1 more sick days per year compared to those without allergies or asthma.

These statistics highlight the substantial impact of respiratory conditions on workplace attendance and productivity. Biospheric Air Treatment offers a solution by reducing the concentration of fungal spores, a major cause of allergies according to the World Health Organization. By improving air quality, this technology helps decrease absenteeism and boost overall workplace productivity.

A balanced and biodiverse microbiome ensures resilience and resistance to invasive species. Studies showed a direct link between microbial biodiversity and human behavior. Yet, the indoor microbiome seen at offices is extremely unnatural with filtered air and cleaning protocols that aim to kill off most of indoor life, leaving it extremely vulnerable to pathogen invasion. Therefore, through the management of an indoor microbiome, Biospheric Air Treatment increases the exposure of office workers to beneficial microorganisms and creates a resilient and biodiverse built environment which in turn contributes to increased productivity and well-being. Increased exposure to beneficial microorganisms has also been proven to decrease the allergies which according to allergist Didier Ebo "become the epidemic of the 21st century” and a major cause of this is the poor indoor air quality, but also the way we tackle that problem. A traditional approach leads to resistance to harmful organisms, and sterilization of objects and surfaces worsens the situation. Let's take action!