Volatile organic compounds

This study introduced a pre-assessment and control tool for indoor air quality (PACT-IAQ) which aimed at multiple pollutant concentrations simulations, pollutant loads estimations and decoration design scheme optimization. Multiple emission sources, sinks, ventilation, pollutant dissemination, and the combined effects of temperature and humidity on material emissions were considered in the tool. Two versions, namely the single zone and multi-zone models, were included in the tool.

HVAC systems in newly built or extensively renovated dwellings were all developed with the aim for energy saving with equal or better comfort. However, these systems (floor heating and DCV systems) have certain characteristics which increase the emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and give VOCs the chance to accumulate to higher concentrations. This interaction is investigated based on dynamic simulations using a temperature and humidity dependent VOC emission model. 

Since the turn of the century, alarming data produced by the Indoor Air Quality Observatory (OQAI) have led to changes in French legislation, including, most notably, the introduction of compulsory labelling for construction products (decree no. 2011-321 of 23 March 2011).

The ClimACT project has been developed under the priority axis “Low Carbon Economy” of the Interreg SUDOE program. It aims to support the transition to a low carbon economy in schools. Environmental audits addressing energy and water consumptions, waste management, travels to school, procurements and green spaces have been carried out in 38 pilots schools of Portugal, Spain, France and Gibraltar. Indoor air quality and ventilation measurements were also achieved. The concentrations of 9 aldehydes and 10 selected VOCs were measured from passive sampling in two classrooms of each school.

The polyurethane foam industry is projected to reach a worldwide value of up to $74bn by 2022 and with airtightness of new and retrofitted properties continually increasing, an important question arises: what is the impact of these materials on the indoor air quality (IAQ), occupants’ health and indoor environment?

Many studies about photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) have been carried out in laboratories. They use an inert test chamber with ideal indoor conditions: a low volume, a controlled temperature and humidity, and a constant injection of one to five specific gases. The principal aim of this study was to implement, in a real test room (TR) of an experimental house, a titanium dioxide (TiO2) layer to quantify its efficiency.

A physically based diffusion model is used to evaluate the sink effect of diffusion-controlled indoor materials and to predict the transient contaminant concentration in indoor air in response to several time-varying contaminant sources. For simplicity, it is assumed that the predominant indoor material is a homogeneous slab, initially free of contaminant, and that the air within the room is well mixed.

Korean residential buildings have been airtight due to the energy economization plan since 1970’s energy crisis. As a result of this, the residential buildings have faced lack of ventilation and resulted in poor indoor air quality of buildings. In additio

Personal exposure to total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), benzene and toluene of 100 Milan office workers was assessed through personal air monitoring at home, in the office, and during commuting. Biological monitoring was performed by measuring blood benzene and toluene concentrations together with urinary trans-trans-muconic acid ( t,t-MA) and cotinine at the end of the monitoring period. The geometric means of the total 24-h personal exposure were 514 μg/m3 for TVOCs, 21.2 μg/m3 for benzene and 35.2 μg/m3 for toluene.