Guidelines:
The UK government has established standards for acceptable CO2 levels in indoor spaces:
- 800 ppm or below: This level suggests that an indoor space is likely well-ventilated and has good indoor air quality.
- Consistent levels of 1500 ppm and above: This indicates poor ventilation, and measures should be taken to improve airflow.
Many countries, including Japan, Korea, Portugal, France, and Norway, have set a standard of 1000 ppm of CO2 for certain indoor environments and office buildings.
CO₂ levels depend on:
- The size of the space and the number of people present in it.
- The efficiency of the HVAC system.
- The amount of outdoor fresh air entering the area.
- The duration of space occupancy.
- The presence of combustion by-products contaminating the indoor air (e.g., idling vehicles near air intakes, leaky furnaces, tobacco smoke).
How do high levels of CO2 impact commercial buildings and their occupants?
1. New, more energy-efficient buildings:
- As buildings and homes become more energy-efficient and airtight, indoor air quality may suffer due to reduced fresh air intake.
- Modern ventilation systems often recycle air to conserve energy, which can lead to high CO2 concentrations and poor indoor air quality by circulating old air rather than introducing new air.
2. Poor cognitive performance:
- Numerous studies have shown that elevated CO2 levels can reduce brain activity and impair higher cognitive functions. Increased ventilation rates can improve task performance, as research indicates.
- A Harvard University study found that cognitive function scores were 101% higher in green building conditions compared to conventional buildings.
3. Low productivity and dissatisfaction:
- Poor indoor air quality in buildings can reduce productivity and cause visitors to express dissatisfaction.
- Research has demonstrated that reducing CO2 concentration in the workplace can boost work speed by up to 60%.
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