Investigating cognitive workload and task performance under indoor air pollutants exposure using electroencephalogram

Most people spend the majority of their time indoors, where indoor air pollution significantly affects occupants' health and productivity. While previous studies have explored the effects of indoor air pollutants, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs), these studies are often conducted in simulated environments or through the addition of specific volatiles, where the introduction of specific pollutants may not accurately reflect real-world office conditions. Additionally, traditional neurophysiological assessment techniques are limited by expensive, bulky equipment that is not suitable for use in typical experimental settings. Addressing this gap, our study utilized electroencephalography (EEG) to measure mental workload in response to different ventilation conditions in real indoor settings. By testing 40 subjects during four cognitive tasks, we found that subjects exhibited relatively higher mental workload in environments with poor ventilation environments, particularly during transitions from improved ventilation environments to poor ventilation environments. Additionally, subjects were required to exert greater effort to maintain the same level of task performance in environments with poor ventilation environment. This study provides novel insights from a neurophysiological perspective into how different ventilation conditions affect occupants' mental workload, thereby influencing task performance. These findings offer a scientific basis for improving indoor environmental quality and optimizing cognitive function in future studies and interventions.