Office air affected workers' creativity

The management of many companies is increasingly asking employees to find "creative solutions" to various problems. As it turns out, not only the level of creativity of a particular person, but also the office environment plays an important role in this.

Back in 2015, American scientists found that enhanced ventilation increases labor productivity many times over. Recently, experts from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore decided to test the relationship between creativity and the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. These are a large class of organic compounds that include hydrocarbons such as methane and ethylene, as well as various alcohols, esters and aldehydes. They are often used as solvents, perfumes, and components of varnishes, paints, and perfumes. VOCs are also included in cosmetic and care products and detergents. The results of the study were published in the journal Scientific Reports.

The experiment lasted six weeks. During this time, 87 students each week for three 40-minute sessions were engaged in the analysis of current problems of modern society: global warming, increasing poverty and deteriorating mental health. They then proposed their solutions by visualizing them with 3D models made of LEGO cubes.

During each session, the researchers altered the composition of the indoor air using air filters, monitoring levels of carbon dioxide, microparticles 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds. 

To assess students' creativity, the researchers developed the Serious Brick Play method, which was largely adapted from the LEGO Serious Play structure. This tool allows students to express thoughts and ideas using 3D models built from LEGO cubes.

In a typical LEGO Serious Play activity, the facilitator offered a task, to which participants responded by building a model out of LEGO cubes. They then talked about their designs and the assembly process.

However, in the Serious Brick Play method, participants did not discuss the models but provided written descriptions. Creativity was judged based on these notes and the models built. The jury consisted of seven randomly selected people who were briefed on the scoring rules. They checked the originality, level of elaboration and complexity of the proposed solution to the problem.

Using statistical analysis, the team of scientists calculated that reducing the total amount of VOCs by 72% could improve a student's creativity by 12%.

The purified air facilitated the creation of more complex and multi-component LEGO models, as well as making more detailed plans during presentations.

According to the authors, the results of their study are especially important for industries that rely on creativity for much of their activities. For example, artists often use paints and thinners that emit large amounts of VOCs and may not be aware that they need good ventilation. Additionally, small changes in the office, such as reducing the use of scented diffusers, can have a positive impact on employees and their productivity.