Investigating the Influence of the Building Material on the Indoor Air Quality in Apartment in Dubai

Abstract

The residents of Dubai spend more than 90% of their time indoors and this lifestyle makes them easily exposed to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Even though Dubai Municipality strictly apply the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) stipulation, indiscreet use of unproven finishing materials has been increased to deteriorate the health of residents in Dubai. The objective of this paper is to investigate the degree of influence of building material on indoor air pollutants concentration by measurement and prediction. As a methodology, indoor pollutants concentration was measured and investigated, variables were extracted through emission intensity experiments, and the indoor concentration was predicted by applying the double exponential decay model. The result had shown that electronic products, furniture, and textile products become new sources of indoor air pollution. The difference in emission patterns of wallpaper and flooring is confirmed via the emission rate test. It is statistically proven that Formaldehyde (CH2O) and VOCs showed a difference in the cumulative emission amount within 100 h but after that, it was confirmed that the difference in emission amount between materials became very small. In case of CH2O, the cumulative emission of the flooring material is greater than that of the wallpaper. This study will serve as a basic data to explore the cause of indoor air pollutants in daily life to reduce SBS symptoms in Dubai.

Correlating Temperature, Airtightness, and Pollutant Concentrations: Insights into Indoor Air Quality in Ajman Apartment Buildings

“…As shown in Table 2, unrated building materials, including adhesives, varnishes, paints, and tiles used in newly constructed or renovated buildings, are major sources of these chemicals. Even in small amounts, these chemicals can have a significant impact on the human body (Arar, Jung and Al Qassimi, 2022). HCHO is released from wood, plywood, and furniture, while VOCs are emitted from textile products found in household appliances (Arar, Jung and Al Qassimi, 2022).…”

“…Even in small amounts, these chemicals can have a significant impact on the human body (Arar, Jung and Al Qassimi, 2022). HCHO is released from wood, plywood, and furniture, while VOCs are emitted from textile products found in household appliances (Arar, Jung and Al Qassimi, 2022).…”

“…These indoor air pollutants are predominantly produced in newly constructed or renovated buildings and are emitted from various sources such as adhesives, polishes, paints, and tiles (Jung, Alqassimi and El Samanoudy, 2022). Even in small quantities, they can significantly impact human health (Arar, Jung and Al Qassimi, 2022).…”

Influence of phase change materials on thermal comfort, greenhouse gas emissions, and potential indoor air quality issues across different climatic regions: A critical review

“…174,175 Exposure to these air pollutants can cause both short-term and long-term cardiorespiratory health problems, including sick building syndrome to the occupants. 176,177 Evidence from the literature shows that exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including asthma and lung cancer. 178,179 Although the integration of PCM in buildings is widely known to improve the thermal comfort of occupants, knowledge about its potential to emit indoor air pollutants considering its complex chemical composition levels remains limited in the literature.…”

“…Studies have shown that among the major sources of air pollution are buildings materials, mostly paints, plastic wall materials, wooden materials serving as potential sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), HCHO, including airborne microplastics 174,175 . Exposure to these air pollutants can cause both short‐term and long‐term cardiorespiratory health problems, including sick building syndrome to the occupants 176,177 . Evidence from the literature shows that exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including asthma and lung cancer 178,179 …”