Experimental investigation of VOC influence on cognitive function at low concentration in a full-fresh air environmental chamber

¹ Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
² General Medicine Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
³ Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin, China

^* Corresponding author: jjliu@tju.edu.cn

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) influences individual physical and mental health. Laboratory studies conducted in environmental chambers have shown that IAQ parameters such as temperature, humidity, CO₂, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may impact participants’ productivity and cognitive performance. To better understand the influence of VOC at low concentration on cognitive function, this study applied a controlled environmental chamber with a full fresh air system at a high airflow rate (1443 m³/h in total). Toluene, a typical VOC commonly found in the Chinese domestic environment, was evaporated, and mixed with fresh air in the main supply air duct before being sent into the chamber. Neurocognitive tasks, and electroencephalogram (EEG) were used to evaluate the cognitive function of health participants under different toluene exposure levels. Results of environmental factors reflected the advantage of the high-airflow-rate full fresh air system in IAQ background factor control, which is essential for research aiming at the influence of indoor air pollutants at low concentrations. The experiment results indicated that a toluene exposure under the recommended level of the World Health Organization (WHO), 0.26 mg/m³, did not lead to discomfort or a significant decline in task performance but triggered changes in EEG power density patterns.