The study shows that unique emission patterns may exist for different types of building materials. These patterns, or signatures, can be established by using PTR-MS, an online monitoring device. The sum of selected major individual VOC odor indices determined by PTR-MS correlates well with the acceptability of air quality assessed by human subjects, and hence provides a feasible approach to assessing perceived indoor air quality. This online assessment will open a new gate in understanding the role of VOC emissions from building materials on perceived air quality, forming a good foundation to develop real-time or near real-time methods for standard material emission testing and labeling, quality control of emissions from materials, and assessing the acceptability of air quality in buildings.
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