Temporal Characteristics of Volatile Organic Compounds in Newly-Constructed Residential Buildings: Concentration and Source

Abstract

The present study was designed to examine the concentrations, emission rates, and source characteristics of a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 30 newly-constructed apartment buildings by measuring indoor and outdoor VOC concentrations over a 2-year period. For comparison, seven villa-type houses were also surveyed for indoor and outdoor VOC concentrations over a 3-month period. Indoor and outdoor air samples were collected on Tenax-TA adsorbent and analyzed using a gas chromatograph (GC)/mass spectrometer system or a GC/flame ionization detector system coupled to a thermal desorption system. The long-term change in indoor VOC concentrations depended on the type of VOCs. Generally, aromatic (except for naphthalene), aliphatic, and terpene compounds exhibited a gradual deceasing trend over the 2-year follow-up period. However, the indoor concentrations of the six halogenated VOCs did not significantly vary with time changes. Similar to these halogenated VOCs, the indoor naphthalene concentrations did not vary significantly with time changes over the 2-year period. Unlike the halogenated VOCs, the indoor naphthalene concentrations were much higher than the outdoor concentrations. The indoor concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic compounds were higher for the villa-type houses when compared to those of apartment buildings. In addition, four source groups (floor coverings and interior painting, household products, wood paneling and furniture, moth repellents) and three source groups (floor coverings and interior painting, household products, and moth repellents) were considered as potential VOC sources inside apartment buildings for the first-and second-year post-occupancy stages, respectively.

Indoor Air Quality

“…Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases released from some solids or liquids at room temperature. Many VOCs found in household air have adverse health impacts, including eye, nose, and throat irritation; asthma exacerbation; lung, kidney, and central nervous system damage; and cancer [9]. VOC sources include building products, paints, strippers, solvents, wood preservatives, air fresheners, hobby supplies, pesticides, dry-cleaned clothing, and more.…”

A Modelling Study of Indoor Air Chemistry: The Surface Interactions of Ozone and Hydrogen Peroxide

“…Emission rates of species emitted directly from surfaces are highest for new materials, but can continue to produce pollutants as they get older (Morrison and Nazaroff, 2002). In 30 Korean apartment buildings, approximately 60% of total indoor VOCs arose from flooring and paint materials (Shin and Jo, 2013).…”