UNH study links productivity, air

September 2, 2004

NH Business Review Staff,

Final results aren’t expected until November, but preliminary research conducted at the University of New Hampshire shows a link between poor air quality and declining worker productivity.

Economists at the Whittemore School of Business have been surveying 500 workers once a week all summer about their health, how their workday has gone, how much time they’ve spent outside and what kinds of physical activities they’ve performed that day.

The surveys will be analyzed along with hospital records for emergency room visits to see if there’s a correlation between bad air days and a higher number of patients with respiratory problems.

Although the early results show a correlation between workers who felt sluggish and unhealthy air quality, they do not take into account factors like age and health or how much time workers spent outside. The final report will include that type of analysis.

Categories: News

More news from NHBR:

AI in the workplace: a checklist for HR

Artificial intelligence has moved from pilot project to daily practice inside many HR departments.

Dartmouth Health builds at-home caregiver institute

When Richard “Dick” Levy’s wife, Susan, received a terminal diagnosis of a progressive brain disorder a decade ago, he became her primary caregiver. Doctors estimated Susan had between three and five years left to live.

Navigating a fixed rate interest strategy

Interest rates affect nearly every business decision — from expansion plans to asset acquisition to operational budgeting.

(Opinion) Leadership is measured by the doors you open

More than 20 years ago as a senior at Saint Anselm College, I found my way into a political advertising seminar held at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics.

(Opinion) ‘Don’t Get Political’ podcast comes to life with Binnie Media

New Hampshire is a remarkable place. We go first in the presidential primary. Our citizen legislature sends people to Concord who hold day jobs and show up anyway.

(Opinion) Plug-in solar is coming to New Hampshire

Plug-in solar has become one of the most successful clean energy projects in Europe. In Germany, an estimated 4 million households now use small, portable, “balcony” solar panels that plug directly into a wall outlet.

Building tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce

This year’s Advanced Manufacturing and High Technology Summit kicked off with a topic universal to all employers: how to build the workforce of tomorrow. The 24th annual event organized by the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership on Oct. 9 featured a keynote panel discussion featuring representatives from the state’s university and community college systems.

(Opinion) The state of New Hampshire’s veterans

New Hampshire is home to 81,535 veterans, including 8,893 female veterans. They are our neighbors, co-workers, coaches, business owners, public servants, parents and friends. They have served our nation. Now the question is whether we are serving them with the urgency, coordination and compassion they deserve.

(Sustainability Spotlight) From data to action

At Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast (Coke Northeast), sustainability means creating shared value by operating responsibly today while building a resilient tomorrow.