Journal of Environmental Science International (한국환경과학회지)

The Korean Environmental Sciences Society (한국환경과학회)
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A Study on the Discharge of Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air of Newly-constructed Apartment Houses

  • Ryu, Jung-Min (Department of Environmental Health Science, Soonchunhyang University) ;
  • Jang, Seong-Ki (Indoor Air Quality Division, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Yang, Won-Ho (Department of Occupational Health, Catholic University of Daegu) ;
  • Cho, Tae-Jin (Department of Environmental Health Science, Soonchunhyang University) ;
  • Son, Bu-Soon (Department of Environmental Health Science, Soonchunhyang University)
  • Published : 2009.05.31
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Abstract

Because of the building is made airtight, Indoor Air Quality(IAQ) is go from bad to worse. There are many source of indoor pollution in any home. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. In this study was measured and analyzed VOCs exposure levels and characteristic of Indoor air pollutant from new apartments in Korea. VOCs were measured indoor pre-residential and residential in new apartment and analyzed GC/MS. The concentration levels of indoor respirable TVOC were found to be higher than those of outdoor TVOC for new apartments. Before occupation, the average indoor and outdoor concentrations were 1498.61 $ug/m^3$ and 468.38 $ug/m^3$, respectively. After being occupied, the average indoor and outdoor concentration were 847.04 $ug/m^3$ and 102.84, respectively. The concentrations of TVOC in new apartments before occupation were shown in the order of Toluene(328.12 $ug/m^3$) > m,p-Xylene(163.67 $ug/m^3$) > Ethy1benzene(80.70 $ug/m^3$>o-XYlene (67.04$ug/m^3$). In addition, the TVOCs concentrations after occupation were also found in the order of Toluene (272.28 $ug/m^3$) > m.p-Xylene(121.79 $ug/m^3$) > Ethylbenzene(53.92 $ug/m^3$)>O-Xylene(24.94 $ug/m^3$). As a result, the concentrations of VOCs in new apartment houses were shown to be affected by indoor environment according activity patterns. So new apartments need to be controled in indoor air quality so that the residents can have more comfortable and healthier living environment.

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References

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