People spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, making indoor air quality (IAQ) a critical determinant of health and cognitive performance. Modern energy-efficient buildings emphasize airtight construction to reduce energy loss, but this can inadvertently trap pollutants from materials like insulation. This study compares the environmental and cognitive impacts of three insulation types: bio-based (recycled denim), fiberglass, and polyurethane (PU) foam. Thirty-two participants were exposed to controlled environments using each material, and data were collected across four categories: IAQ metrics (VOCs, PM, CO2, formaldehyde), physiological signals (pulse, respiratory rate, EDA), EEG data (attention, stress, engagement), and cognitive tests (Joggle platform). Results showed bio-based insulation provided significantly better IAQ, reduced physiological stress, and improved cognitive performance. These findings suggest insulation should be evaluated not just for thermal efficiency, but for health and cognitive outcomes, reinforcing the value of bio-based materials in sustainable, human-centric building design.
Madasu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.