Thekabarnews.com—Recent research in sleep health and indoor air quality indicates that inadequate ventilation in the bedroom could greatly reduce sleep quality. In addition, it could elevate stress and cognitive impairment the next day.

High carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in bedrooms, due to poor ventilation, have been found in research to impair deep sleep. They also reduce sleep efficiency and make people feel less mentally awake the next day.

The researchers looked at how three different levels of ventilation affected sleep quality, body responses, and work performance. They examined these at common indoor CO2 levels of 750 ppm, 1,000 ppm, and 1,300 ppm.

Scientists say the acceptable level of indoor air quality is 1,000 parts per million of indoor CO2. However, the study finds that even that level of exposure could already be harming sleep.

The study sample consisted of 36 young healthy adults who slept alone in replicated bedrooms under controlled conditions.

Participants took part in an adaptation night and two nights with three levels of ventilation in counterbalanced order. The study tracked participants’ sleep quality and physiological responses using wrist-worn devices before bedtime and after waking.

Participants also completed a questionnaire about their bedroom environment and reported any health problems. Furthermore, they were assessed for cognitive performance the next day.

The data indicated that sleep quality was substantially poorer at CO2 levels of 1,000 ppm and 1,300 ppm. It was better in bedrooms with an average of 750 ppm of CO2.

Sleep efficiency decreased by 1.3 percent, and awake time increased by nearly 5 minutes at 1000 ppm. Sleep efficiency dropped 1.8 percent, and time awake increased by nearly eight minutes at 1,300 ppm.

Researchers also reported a significant reduction in the amount of deep sleep at 1,300 ppm compared to 750 ppm.

Higher CO2 levels also raised salivary cortisol concentrations upon waking, suggesting increased stress and greater sympathetic nervous system activity.

Even without feeling uncomfortable, higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the morning after sleep may signal poor recovery. In addition, it may signal increased physiological stress, scientists suggest.

The study found that based on the ventilation parameters investigated, it would be reasonable not to exceed average CO2 concentrations of 1,000 ppm in the bedrooms.

Poor sleep quality also correlated with lower performance on cognitive tests the following day. This indicates that indoor air quality directly affects focus, memory, and productivity.

This study joins an increasing amount of evidence showing that sleep health is affected by far more than the quality of the mattress or bedtime routines. It also includes the unseen elements of the sleeping environment.

As urban living spaces become increasingly cramped and compressed, experts suggest maximizing bedroom ventilation by opening windows when possible. They also recommend using appropriate ventilation systems and monitoring indoor air quality.

“The conclusion is clear,” the researchers explain. Cleaner air may lead to longer sleep—and better performance the following day.

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