Volatile Organic Compounds, Indoor Air Quality and Health

Abstract

This publication Summarizes field investigations and controlled experiments on the relation between low levels of indoor air pollution with volatile organic wmpounds (VOC) and human health and comfm. The Henle-Kock rriteria from epldemwlogy are r h e d for the dose-respue relation between VOC's and health as comfort effects and existing d m e for each criterton are discussed. A biological model for human responses is suggested, based on three mechanisms: sens o y perception of the environment, weak inflammatory reactions, and environmental stress reactions. Furth, the TVOC-indicator concept for exposure is discussed.The conclusion is that no experimental or field data contradict the proposed causality. On the contrary, evidence supports the suggested causality. The biological moaX, huweuq is not yet based on acceptable measures of the variables for exposures, co-vadles or health effects. A tentative gutdeline for VOC's in m-industrial indoor environments is suggested. The no-effect level seems to be about 0.2 mglm3. A multifactorial exposure range may exist between 0.2 and 3 mglm'. Above 3 mglm' discomfm is expected. KEY WORDS:Health, Comfort, Perceived indoor air quality, Environmental stress, TVOC, Volatile organic compounds.

Assessing the effect of indoor environmental quality on productivity at office work

“…After opening the windows, the concentrations of TVOC were decreased. The values were in line with those found in other studies; however, taking into account the guideline value of 200 μg.m -3 suggested by Molhave [17].…”

“…Other environmental parameters were met limit value during the experiment. CO 2 and TVOC levels were met recommended concentrations [16,17]; on the other hand, in subjective assessment occupants rated air temperature and air quality as discomfort state. Mean values of air velocity levels were fulfilled [14]; however indoor air velocity was rated as greatly decreasing effect on occupant´ productivity.…”

Survey of Indoor Air Pollution and Health Symptoms at Residential Buildings

“…Major research works have been conducted on the products and health impacts (Molhave, 1986;Molhave, 1991;Rivers, Pleil and Wiener, 1992;Bluyssen et al, 1996;Seifert, 1999;Pitten, Bremer and Kramer, 2000;Chan, 2003) by physical, chemical and biological indoor air pollutants (IAPs) but few works have been done in context to India (Kirk, 2000), but many researchers have been documented on rural and/or urban slum area, no one has tried to establish generation of IAPs by household products and activities in residential buildings in relation to health hazards symptoms on modern lifestyle in urban and semi urban area compared to normal lifestyle in rural (control) area.…”

Determining indoor air quality and identifying the origin of odour episodes in indoor environments

“…TVOC concentrations are generally found in the same order 413 of magnitude in samples taken in the same day at different dwelling locations (Table 414 1, Talbe (Table 4). In addition to this, Seifert (1990) In addition to that, Mølhave (1991) …”

“…53 The knowledge of the adverse effects on health associated to indoor air VOC is 54 nowadays very limited (Johansson, 1999;Edwards et al, 2001;Venn et al, 2003), 55 knowing much less about the health risks from polluted indoor air than from outdoor 56 contamination (Jones, 1999). Several human exposure studies have been carried out 57 (Otto et al, 1990;Mølhave, 1991, Wolkoff, 1995 caused by complex VOC mixtures is also difficult because their effects may be additive, 63 synergistic, antagonic or even independent for each other, making hardly predictable the 64 toxicological consequences of VOC exposition to human wellness (Mølhave et al,65 1997; Johansson, 1999). On the other hand, the wide range of sampling strategies and 66 Total VOC (TVOC) concentration calculation methods used in the literature often make 67 TVOC published data not comparable (Mølhave, 1992; EC, 1997; Mølhave et al, 1997; 68 Wolkoff et al, 1997;Johansson, 1999).…”