Data from: Impact of cognitive tasks on CO2 and isoprene emissions from humans

The human body emits a wide range of chemicals, including CO2 and isoprene. To examine the impact of cognitive tasks on human emission rates of CO2 and isoprene, we conducted an across subjects, counterbalanced study in a controlled chamber involving 16 adults. The chamber replicated an office environment. In groups of four, participants engaged in 30 minutes each of cognitive tasks (stressed activity) and watching nature documentaries (relaxed activity). Measured biomarkers indicated higher stress levels were achieved during the stressed activity. Per-person CO2 emission rates were greater for stressed than relaxed activity (30.3 ± 2.1 vs. 27.0 ± 1.7 g/h/p, p = 0.0044, mean ± standard deviation). Isoprene emission rates were also elevated under stressed vs. relaxed activity (154 ± 25 µg/h/p vs. 116  ± 20 µg/h/p, p = 0.041). Chamber temperature was held constant at 26.2 ± 0.49 ◦C; incidental variation in temperature did not explain variance in emission rates. Isoprene emission rates inc...