Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) in Indoor Air Quality Investigations*

Mølhave, Lars; Clausen, Geo; Berglund, Birgitta; Céaurriz, J. de; Kettrup, A.; Lindvall, Thomas; Maroni, M; Pickering, A.; Risse, U.; Rothweiler, H.; Seifert, Bohumil; Younes, Mohammad K.

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.1997.00002.x

Cited by 222 publications

(127 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…By comparison, the mean TVOC concentration in Hangzhou was twice that in Germany, and that in Beijing was 6 times higher than that in Germany. However, it is generally considered that a TVOC concentration of 0.20 mg/m 3 would affect the human body, which is lower than the national standards in most countries [3,10]. Further studies on the toxicology of VOCs need to be carried out to determine reasonable national standards for TVOC concentrations and to reduce the health risks to urban residents from TVOC exposure.…”

Section: Voc Pollution In Newly-decorated Homes In Different Cities Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Total volatile organic compound concentration and its influencing factors in urban indoor air after decoration

Liu

Bai

Chen³

et al. 2011

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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The indoor total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations and their relationship to potential influencing factors were evaluated. Samples (n = 2302) were collected from 2007 to 2009 both in old structures and new construction in the city of Hangzhou from bedrooms, sitting rooms and studies that had been decorated within the previous year. The average TVOC concentration in all the newly decorated rooms was 0.65±0.69 mg/m 3 . 35.8% of samples exceeded the China standard. Over the past 3 years, the TVOC concentration decreased and then increased (P < 0.05). The percentage of samples exceeding the China standard in the three rooms decreased in the following order: sitting room>study>bedroom. The characteristics of the TVOC source were a key factor influencing the TVOC concentration. In addition, the TVOC concentration was also (P < 0.05) related to the temperature, humidity, time from the end of decoration to sampling (DR), and the amount of time windows and doors were closed before sampling (DC). The temperature and humidity were less important than the DR and DC. A model to relate the TVOC concentration to the five factors (temperature, humidity, source, DR, and DC) was established based on 288 samples (R 2 = 0.83). The model illustrated that the time for the TVOC concentration to meet the China standard was different for the various rooms, and when the other factors were fixed, the impact of DC (t 1 ) on the TVOC concentration could be quantified as (((t 1 +1)/2) 0.212 −1)×100%.indoor air, total volatile organic compound, air quality, factor analysis Citation:Liu J L, Bai G, Chen J, et al. Total volatile organic compound concentration and its influencing factors in urban indoor air after decoration.

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Section: Voc Pollution In Newly-decorated Homes In Different Cities Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Total volatile organic compound concentration and its influencing factors in urban indoor air after decoration

Liu

Bai

Chen³

et al. 2011

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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“…17 Despite a large number of field studies using a variety of measurement and analytical techniques, no consistent associations have been shown between measures of TVOCs and discomfort or health effects. 17 No health or comfort evaluation can be made based on emission rates measured in test chambers. Small test chambers can provide useful qualitative and semi-quantitative data.…”

Section: Chemical Composition Of Voc Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Total Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Adhesives Based on Chamber Tests

Guo

Murray

Wilkinson

2000

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

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In 1997, Homeswest in western Australia and Murdoch University developed a project to construct low-allergen houses (LAHs) in a newly developed suburb. Before the construction of LAHs, all potential volatile organic compound (VOC) emission materials used in LAHs are required to be measured to ensure that they are low total VOC (TVOC) emission materials. This program was developed based on this purpose.In recent times, the number of complaints about indoor air pollution caused by VOCs has increased. A number of surveys of indoor VOCs have indicated that many indoor materials contribute to indoor air pollution. Although some studies have been conducted on the characteristics of VOC emissions from adhesives, most of them were focused on IMPLICATIONS This paper evaluates the emissions of TVOCs from adhesives based on chamber tests. The conclusions obtained in this paper can be used to (1) classify adhesive products according to their emission potential; (2) expand an emissions inventory that can be used to predict indoor air quality; and (3) evaluate the contribution of the emissions of a given product to the overall indoor concentrations of VOCs. Therefore, the emission data obtained in this kind of research are important for estimating exposure to VOCs emitted in the indoor environment and especially for the design of methods to reduce exposure through selecting appropriate building and furnishing materials and household products.VOC emissions from floor adhesives. Few measurements of VOC emissions from adhesives used for wood, fabrics, and leather are available. Furthermore, most research on VOC emissions from adhesives has been done in countries with cool climates, where ventilation rates in the indoor environment are lower than those in Mediterranean climates, due to energy conservation. VOCs emitted from adhesives have not been sufficiently researched to prepare an emission inventory to predict indoor air quality and to determine both exposure levels for the Australian population and the most appropriate strategies to reduce exposure.An environmental test chamber with controlled temperature, relative humidity, and airflow rate was used to evaluate emissions of TVOCs from three adhesives used frequently in Australia. The quantity of TVOC emissions was measured by a gas chromatography/flame ionization detector. The primary VOCs emitted from each adhesive were detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.The temporal change of TVOC concentrations emitted from each adhesive was tested. A double-exponential equation was then developed to evaluate the characteristics of TVOC emissions from these three adhesives. With this double-exponential model, the physical processes of TVOC emissions can be explained, and a variety of emission parameters can be calculated. These emission parameters could be used to estimate real indoor TVOC concentrations in Mediterranean climates.

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“…The TVOC indicator can be used for sensory irritation [38]. Others [39,40] consider that although TVOC is a crude way of describing the occurrence of VOC in indoor air, it may still be useful in testing of materials and as an indicator of insufficient or poorly designed ventilation. In European labeling schemes, TVOC is used except in the Danish ICL.…”

Section: Technical Partmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor decorating and refurbishing materials and furniture volatile organic compounds emission labeling systems: A review

et al. 2012

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The volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted from indoor decorating and refurbishing materials and furniture is recognized as one of the main causes of bad indoor air quality, which has resulted in serious economic losses. In European countries and the U.S., labeling systems for indoor decorating and refurbishing materials and furniture were established to address this issue with good effect. This paper is a review of these existing labeling systems. The basic principle of the labeling systems is introduced. The technical, policy and operational parts of the labeling systems are then discussed. The research concentrates on target pollutants, their threshold values and the testing methods employed. Some problems were uncovered in these labeling systems: too many VOCs were targeted; the method to determine the threshold values was not very rigorous; the testing time was too long (7-28 d). Some China's special features in developing such system are stated. Therefore, as the world's largest national producer and consumer of wood based panels and furniture, China should learn from foreign experience of establishing labeling systems as much as it can. However China should not simply copy the foreign approaches but develop its own scientific labeling system for indoor decorating and refurbishing materials and furniture.

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Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) in Indoor Air Quality Investigations*

Cited by 222 publications

References 37 publications

Total volatile organic compound concentration and its influencing factors in urban indoor air after decoration

Total volatile organic compound concentration and its influencing factors in urban indoor air after decoration

Evaluation of Total Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Adhesives Based on Chamber Tests

Indoor decorating and refurbishing materials and furniture volatile organic compounds emission labeling systems: A review

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