Office Air Quality, Microplastics and Cognitive Performance: Why the Air We Breathe at Work Matters More Than We Think

Indoor air quality in offices is becoming a growing focus for workplace wellbeing, sustainability, and performance. Emerging research shows that what we breathe at work may have a direct impact not only on health, but also on how clearly we think and perform.

Today’s office environments contain a mix of airborne particles including microplastics alongside gases and compounds that build up in enclosed spaces. Together, they form an often invisible but important factor in employee wellbeing.

Microplastics in office air

Microplastics are tiny plastic fibres and particles released from everyday materials. In office environments, common sources include:

• Carpets and carpet tiles

• Upholstered chairs and soft seating

• Curtains, blinds, and fabric furnishings

• Plastic-based office materials and equipment

• Staff uniforms and synthetic workwear (fibres shedding through movement and wear)

• Dust accumulation in enclosed spaces

• HVAC systems circulating fine particles

Regular movement, cleaning activity, and air circulation can re-suspend these particles, keeping them airborne throughout the day.

While research is still evolving, microplastics are small enough to be inhaled deep into the respiratory system, making indoor exposure a relevant consideration in modern workplaces.

Air quality and cognitive performance

Beyond particles like microplastics, broader indoor air quality has been linked to employee performance and cognitive function.

A well-known Harvard study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that workers performed significantly better in environments with improved air quality. In controlled conditions, cognitive scores were:

• 61% higher in “green” (cleaner air) environments

• Up to 101% higher in “green+” (enhanced fresh air) conditions

The study also showed major improvements in key areas such as crisis response, information use, and strategic thinking.

In contrast, poorer air quality conditions including higher levels of carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were linked to measurable declines in cognitive performance.

The “Sick Building Syndrome” effect

Historically, building ventilation standards were reduced in some periods to improve energy efficiency. However, this contributed to what became known as Sick Building Syndrome, where occupants reported:

• Headaches

• Fatigue

• Reduced concentration

• “Brain fog”

The Harvard research reinforces the idea that minimum compliance standards for ventilation may not always support optimal human performance.

Common office materials such as adhesives, cleaning products, markers, particle boards, and correction fluids can also release VOCs that contribute to indoor air quality challenges.

Why this matters today

Modern employees spend a large proportion of their time indoors in offices, meeting rooms, and shared workspaces. This means indoor air quality is no longer just a building management issue, but a productivity and wellbeing issue.

When combined, emerging concerns include:

• Microplastic exposure from textiles and furnishings

• VOCs from everyday office materials

• Poor ventilation and recirculated air

• Dust accumulation in soft furnishings and carpets

Together, these factors can subtly influence how people feel and perform throughout the working day.

What offices can do

Improving indoor air quality does not require major disruption small, consistent actions can make a meaningful difference:

1. Improve ventilation and filtration

• Regular HVAC maintenance

• Upgraded filtration systems where possible

• Increased fresh air intake where safe and practical

  
  

2. Strengthen cleaning practices

• HEPA-filtered vacuuming of carpets and upholstery

• Damp dusting instead of dry dusting

• Frequent cleaning of high-use areas

  
  

3. Review materials and furnishings

• Reduce high-shedding synthetic textiles where possible

• Consider lower-emission materials in refurbishments

• Review long-term replacement of carpets and upholstery

  
  

4. Consider uniforms and textiles

• Where possible, shift toward lower-shedding fabrics

• Manage washing practices to reduce fibre release

• Include uniforms in sustainability discussions

  
  

5. Treat air quality as a performance factor

• Include indoor air quality in ESG and wellbeing strategies

• Recognise ventilation as a productivity driver, not just a compliance requirement

The evidence is increasingly clear: the air inside offices affects more than comfort it can influence focus, decision-making, and overall performance.

From microplastics to ventilation levels, indoor air quality is becoming a key part of how modern workplaces think about sustainability and productivity.

Small improvements in air management today can contribute to healthier, more focused, and more effective workplaces tomorrow.