The effects of bedroom window/door opening on bedroom air quality, sleep quality, and next-day work performance

The results from a field intervention study performed in 29 bedrooms during heating season in Denmark are presented, which examined the effects of window/door opening on bedroom air quality, sleep quality, and next-day work performance. The participants slept under their normal sleep conditions in the first week. In the second week, the interventions were made by opening or closing either the window, door, or both. Opening the window or door or both significantly reduced the bedroom CO2 concentration during sleep. However, subjective and objective sleep quality and the next-day performance were improved only when the window was open. Window opening significantly increased the acceptability of air quality, improved air freshness, and reduced odor intensity. None of these changes were seen when only the door was open. The present findings suggest that ventilation with outdoor air is necessary to ensure good sleep quality and next-day work performance.