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Researchers from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore collaborated with global air filter manufacturer Camfil in a study revealing the connection between air quality in workplaces and levels of creativity. They discovered that high volumes of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, stemming from various products like detergents, pesticides and aerosol sprays could hamper creative abilities.

TVOC, cognition and creativity

Total Volatile Organic Compounds or TVOC serves as an indicator of the amount of these compounds in the air. Indoor sources like paints, carpets, detergents, and air fresheners contribute to these emissions, impacting air quality.

A study from 2016 compared cognitive function in "green" and "conventional" office environments. Participants spent six workdays in controlled settings simulating both conditions. Green spaces showed 61% higher and Green+ or enhanced ventilation 101% higher cognitive scores than conventional spaces. VOCs and CO2 independently affected scores, highlighting the impact of indoor environments on cognition.

Now, the new study, part of NTU's collaboration with Camfil, investigated indoor air quality's impact on cognitive performance and sought innovative clean air solutions. The study emphasized the significance of indoor air quality on creative cognition.

Assistant Professor Ng Bing Feng highlighted how even lower TVOC levels, within acceptable thresholds, could affect an individual's creative potential. This insight holds considerable consequences for industries reliant on creativity, like artists who might unknowingly work in spaces with high VOC emissions.

Assessing creativity through LEGO models

To quantify creativity, the NTU team devised the Serious Brick Play method, an adaptation of the LEGO Serious Play or LSP framework. Participants built models in response to global issues and provided written descriptions, which were then scored for creativity.

The study indicated a clear correlation between TVOC levels and creative potential. Lower TVOC levels led to a 12% increase in creativity among participants. Additionally, the researchers explored the method's alignment with creativity assessment tools.

The research revealed the potential for improved creativity by enhancing indoor air quality, prompting considerations for workplace adjustments to benefit employee productivity.

The team is now looking into understanding how TVOC and other indoor pollutants affect cognitive processes by studying the brain activity of participants, aiming to further understand this crucial link between air quality and cognitive performance.