---
title: "Associations between indoor air exposures and cognitive test…"
description: "Higher classroom carbon dioxide levels, even in well-ventilated spaces, are associated with lower student cognitive test scores."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d40204887.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d40204887.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d40204887.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d40204887"
journal: "J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol"
year: 2025
pmid: "40204887"
doi: "10.1038/s41370-025-00770-6"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Associations between indoor air exposures and cognitive test scores among university students

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol |
| Year | 2025 |
| PMID | [40204887](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40204887/) |
| DOI | [10.1038/s41370-025-00770-6](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00770-6) |
| Study key | d40204887 |

## Takeaway

Higher classroom carbon dioxide levels, even in well-ventilated spaces, are associated with lower student cognitive test scores.

## The question

Do indoor carbon dioxide concentrations, reflecting ventilation and building occupancy, associate with cognitive test scores among university graduate students in classrooms with increased ventilation?

## Hypothesis

The study implicitly hypothesizes that higher indoor carbon dioxide concentrations will be associated with lower cognitive test scores, even in classrooms with enhanced ventilation.

## Methods

Graduate students (54 included in analysis) attending lectures in university classrooms with increased ventilation participated. Post-class cognitive performance tests (Stroop and Arithmetic) were administered via a smartphone app during the 2022-2023 academic year. Classrooms had continuous indoor environmental quality monitors providing real-time carbon dioxide concentrations. Mixed-effects statistical models were used to analyze temporally and spatially paired exposure and outcome data, examining different carbon dioxide exposure metrics and cognitive test scores.

## Results

Model estimates showed directionally consistent evidence that higher central and peak classroom carbon dioxide concentrations (ranging from approximately 440-1630 ppm) were associated with lower cognitive test scores. The strongest effect estimates were observed for 95th percentile class carbon dioxide concentrations, representing peak exposures.

## Conclusion

Lower carbon dioxide concentrations are associated with higher cognitive test scores, even in classrooms with increased outdoor air ventilation. While not causal and with unknown underlying mechanisms, higher outdoor air ventilation appears to offer additional benefits beyond infection risk reduction by supporting student performance.

## Limitations

The study notes that the findings are not causal, and the underlying mechanisms for the observed associations remain unknown.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> higher classroom carbon dioxide concentrations are associated with lower cognitive test scores

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Indoor CO2 Air-Quality Monitor | Moderate evidence | [Indoor CO2 Air-Quality Monitor](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/188.md) |

## Reference

1. **Associations between indoor air exposures and cognitive test scores among university students**
   J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2025 · [PMID 40204887](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40204887/) · [DOI 10.1038/s41370-025-00770-6](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00770-6)

   > higher classroom carbon dioxide concentrations are associated with lower cognitive test scores

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Indoor CO2 Air-Quality Monitor](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/188.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Indoor CO2 concentrations and cognitive function: A critical review.](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s188.md)
- [Effects of low-level inhalation exposure to carbon dioxide indoors on human health and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d30172928.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).