What is the ideal CO2 concentration for optimal human performance?

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SUMMARY

The ideal CO2 concentration for optimal human performance is generally considered to be below 600 ppm, aligning with indoor air quality building codes. Short-term exposure to CO2 levels below 5% (50,000 ppm) is often cited as having negligible impacts on performance, although this figure is debated. Maintaining tolerable CO2 levels can be achieved through improved ventilation and the introduction of plants in classrooms. Monitoring CO2 levels is essential, as concentrations above 2000 ppm are increasingly viewed as unacceptable.

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  • Understanding of indoor air quality standards
  • Knowledge of CO2 measurement techniques
  • Familiarity with ventilation systems
  • Basic principles of plant biology and their role in air quality
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  • Research CO2 measurement tools and techniques for indoor environments
  • Explore effective ventilation strategies for classrooms
  • Investigate the impact of indoor plants on air quality
  • Review peer-reviewed literature on CO2 levels and human performance
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Educators, facility managers, environmental health professionals, and anyone interested in optimizing indoor air quality for improved human performance.

jgens
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What is an optimal CO2 concentration (a range of values or percentages) for maintaining baseline performance among humans? For example, short term exposure to CO2 concentrations less than 5% has negligible impacts on performance (I don't think this is true, it's just an example). If anyone happens to know any peer reviewed scientific literature regarding this topic it would be much appreciated.

As an aside, my high school often has trouble maintaining tolerable concentrations (concentrations which have a negligible impact on performance) of CO2. I would like to attempt to find ways to perhaps maintain tolerable CO2 concentrations through improved ventilation, introduction of plants to classrooms, etc.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Ventilation for maintaining indoor air quality is required by building codes.

How do you know your high school has too high a CO2 concentration?

CO2 is a bad thing to have in any concentration, but ambient levels range from 400-800 ppm. Codes require keeping the indoor level within 600 pmm of ambient. There is a variety of differening interpretations of what is acceptable as an absolute level, starting with about 2000 ppm. Google gives lots of results. Here's the Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_air_quality#Carbon_dioxide
 
Thanks for the link!

I know the CO2 concentration inside the school has been too high because various wings of the building are periodically shut down or require increased ventilation (such as opening windows in the middle of Winter).
 

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