Local study: Indoor air pollution reduces creativity by at least 10%

First published online at Lianhe Zaobao

ERI@N Cluster Directors Asst Prof Ng Bing Feng (left) and Assoc Prof Wan Man Pun (right) led the study on impact of creativity caused by indoor air pollutants

NTU and Sweden's air filter manufacturer Camfil conducted a study which found that if the indoor concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is reduced by 72%, the creativity of people indoors can be improved by 12%. VOCs are one of the major contributors to indoor air pollution, including gases emitted from furniture and chemicals such as paints and cleaners. The study involved 87 undergraduates and postgraduates who were asked to 3D models using LEGO in a controlled workspace where air quality could be adjusted.

Asst Prof Ng Bing Feng and Assoc Prof Wan Man Pun, Cluster Directors for Smart and Sustainable Building Technologies at ERI@N, led the study, which was published in Scientific Reports, an academic journal under the Nature portfolio. Asst Prof Ng believes the research reflects the importance of indoor air quality, and that even if the concentration of VOCs is within a safe range, changes in its concentration could still affect people's creative potential. Assoc Prof Wan said the research could be of even greater relevance to those working in the creative industry, such as artists who often use paints and thinners.