Effects of building material on levels of volatile organic compounds in Taiwan’s typical office buildings

The research emphasized on typical characteristics of interior decoration material, decoratedarea and relative influence factors to consider about the contaminants concentration of TVOCand formaldehyde in Taiwan. This study conducted complete diagnosis and measurement insix office buildings including 16 different types of office rooms in 2001. In this survey, thecharacteristic of the space, types of building materials used, properties of decorated area andthe room volume were all considered.

VOC source and sink behaviour of porous building materials: Part II effects of Reynolds number and temperature

This study theoretically investigates the impact of air velocity and temperature on the sourceand sink behaviour of porous building materials, by applying the analytical model proposedin Part I. The impact of air velocity on the source and sink behaviour was investigated forvarious levels of material properties. The Reynolds number was varied from 102 to 105,which is equivalent to an air velocity from almost stagnant to 0.34 m/s when the material is4.5 m long.

VOC source and sink behaviour of porous building materials: Part I model development and assessment

Evaluating the VOC source and sink behaviour of porous materials is important for thedetermination of the VOC concentration levels in indoor air environment. The transfermechanisms involved in the source and sink behaviour are the same, but the mass transferis in the opposite direction (i.e. from material to air for source, and from air to material forsink). This paper presents a mass transfer model that can be used to predict both sourceand sink behaviour of porous materials.

French permanent survey on indoor air quality microenvironmental concentrations of volatile organic compounds in 90 French dwellings

Before starting a French nationwide survey, a pilot study was conducted in 2001 on 90dwellings in three geographical areas (North, East and South of France). This survey includedmeasurements on 40 priority indoor parameters (VOC, NO2, CO, CO2, bacteria, moulds,allergens, MMMF, temperature, humidity) and questionnaires on building characteristics,occupants description and time activity diaries. The paper focuses on the chemical levelsfound in dwellings.

Experimental study of reactions between ozone and building products

The purpose of this paper is to present an experimental setup developed to characterizereactions between ozone and building products and document their potential impact on indoorair quality. Preliminary experiments were conducted on four building products: two carpets, agypsum board and a pine wood board. These preliminary experiments clearly indicate thatozone is significantly removed in contact with the four selected products. Measured ozoneremoval were around 65% for the two carpets, 70% for the gypsum board and 75% for thepine wood board.

What is behind TVOC in new buildings

This study reports the attained indoor air quality in new buildings when using different M1-classified finishing materials and ventilation systems. It is practical to use the TVOC value asa reference in comparing material emissions, their effect on indoor air quality and infollowing the effect of different parameters on the indoor air quality. But is TVOC a relevanttool from the health point of view to be used in characterizing the indoor air as the singlecompounds contained in the TVOC value do have very different effects on the health andperceived indoor air quality?

Investigation of indoor air quality in a residence using natural materials

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in a house using building materials with low chemical emission wasinvestigated for 8 months. Indoor air concentration, emission rate of aldehydes and VOCsfrom floor and wall, air change rate, temperature and relative humidity were measured toevaluate the IAQ of the house. Air change rate was measured by two methods. Indoor airconcentration and emission rate from building materials were measured at differentconstruction phases (before and after completion) and after being occupied. A questionnairewas used to examine the influence of lifestyle on IAQ.

Draft on KNHC's criteria of HCHO for building materials

This study has done for setting the criteria for emission from building materials and a methodto test for formaldehyde (HCHO). Emission tests from major building products in acontrolled small chamber were performed with a field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC)to evaluate the features of chemical pollutants from those coverings. HURI (Housing &Urban Research Institute) proposed the test method and the emission criteria for HCHO,which considered many dimensions including test results and the influence on the buildingmaterials market.

Indoor chemistry and health: where are we going?

Indoor chemistry is receiving attention due to the possible health effects of products ofreactions between indoor pollutants, and the potential for such products to contribute to indoorparticulate matter (PM). Much of the focus with respect to indoor chemistry has been onterpene/ozone reaction products, since terpenes are ubiquitous indoors, ozone readilyinfiltrates from outdoors, and the reaction rates are comparable to typical air exchange rates inmany indoor settings. Several studies have documented particle formation from reactionsbetween ozone and a-pinene or d-limonene.

The application of semiconductor-based odour sensors capable of measuring and evaluating indoor air quality

Now believed to be responsible for anaphylaxis to chemical substances, concentrations of formaldehyde and VOCs emitted by interior finish materials and furniture, is very low in residential spaces. To accurately measure these concentrations, it is necessary to concentrate the air sample during sampling and to employ high-precision analysers such as a GC analyzer to obtain the results. Since these complicated sampling and analytical operations require a high level of expertise, the development of an on-the-spot precise measuring instrument has long been awaited.

Pages