A Florida State University study says that a lack of stimulation in the workplace, and a dirty working environment may have long-term cognitive effects on employees.
“Psychologists say that the brain is a muscle, while industrial hygienists point to chemicals in the work environment that may cause decline,” said Joseph Grsywacz, PhD, the Norejane Hendrickson Professor of Family and Child Sciences and lead researcher on the study.
“There are real things in the workplace that can shape cognitive function: some that you can see or touch, and others you can’t. We showed that both matter to cognitive health in adulthood.”
Researchers in the past had been divided on whether working in an unstimulating environment or working in an unclean workplace – facing exposure to mold, lead or loud noises took the bigger toll on brain health as people got older. This study showed that both can play an important role in long-term cognitive health.
“The practical issue here is cognitive decline associated with aging and the thought of, ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it,'” Dr. Grsywacz said. “Designing jobs to ensure that all workers have some decision making ability may protect cognitive function later in life, but it’s also about cleaning up the workplace.”
Mental Floss
Neurology Reviews
August, 2016