Indoor air quality of newly built low-energy preschools – Are chemical emissions reduced in houses with eco-labelled building materials?

Abstract

The use of an airtight frame in low-energy buildings could increase the risk of health-related problems, such as allergies and sick building syndromes (SBS), associated with chemical emissions from building materials, especially if the ventilation system is not functioning properly. In this study, the indoor air quality (IAQ) was investigated in newly built low-energy and conventional preschools by monitoring the indoor air temperature, relative humidity, particle-size distribution and levels of carbon dioxide (CO 2), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), formaldehyde and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). The thermal comfort was satisfactory in all preschools, with average indoor air temperature and a relative humidity at 21.4 C and 36%, respectively. The highest levels of TVOC (range: 130-1650 mg/m 3 toluene equivalents) and formaldehyde (range: 1.9-28.8 mg/m 3) occurred during the first sampling period associated with strong emissions from building materials. However, those preschools constructed with environmental friendly building materials (such as Swan Eco-label) had lower initial TVOC levels compared to those preschools constructed with conventional building materials. The IAQ and indoor chemical emissions were also strongly dependent on the functioning of the ventilation system. Preliminary risk assessment indicated that exposure to acrolein and crotonaldehyde might lead to respiratory-tract irritation among occupants.

Indoor Air Quality in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review on the Factors Influencing Air Pollution in Residential and Commercial Structure

“…Recently, new low-energy regulations for new buildings in the European Union stipulated that all new schools built in this region should follow airtight and energy-efficient envelope. To investigate the IAQ of these newly built low-energy preschools in Sweden, a comparative study was performed [ 48 ]. A strong relationship was found between IAQ and the functioning level of the ventilation system.…”

A field measurement of temperature and humidity in a utility tunnel and a brief analysis of the exhaust heat recovery system

“…The indoor air environment is particularly important for safe pipeline operation and the safety of managers in UUTs. 9 Previous studies of indoor air environments have focused on locations such as public buildings, 10–15 residential buildings 16–19 and subway tunnels. 20 , 21 Relatively few studies have evaluated the indoor air environment in UUTs.…”

Indoor environmental conditions in schoolchildren’s homes in central-south China

“…Environmental factors, including indoor and outdoor air pollution, may also have an important impact on the prevalence of such disease. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) can act as a respiratory irritant, and its elevation may result in sore throat, irritated nose/sinus, tight chest and wheezing. 21 Inhalation or direct contact with formaldehyde might cause adverse health effects in children, 22 such as an increased risk of asthma, allergy and airway inflammation.…”

“…Environmental factors, including indoor and outdoor air pollution, may also have an important impact on the prevalence of such disease. 7–20…”