Title

Evaluation of indoor air quality on the basis of measurements of VOC concentrations

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2000

Publication Title

Chemical Analysis

Abstract

Measurement of concentrations levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) such as benzene, toluene, butyl acetate, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, styrene and m-dichlorobenzene was carried out in three newly erected and remodelled dwellings in Tricity area. To collect the series of air samples the active and passive methods were used. In both cases activated charcoal was applied as a sorption medium. The samples were liberated by solvent extraction, and analyzed by capillary column gas chromatography, employing a flame ionisation detector. The study also attempted to examine the time dependence of concentrations of selected VOC in each investigated dwelling. This was accomplished by at least triplicate measurements of the IAQ. The experimental results showed that values for analyzed VOC were exceeded (even a few orders of magnitude) for the measurements made before inhabiting of the occupants, in every investigated dwelling. The concentrations of the investigated VOC decreased significantly with time, which should be expected, although in some cases the levels of selected VOC remained still high. Our experience indicates that application of two different indoor air sampling techniques to determine analytes of interest, though more laborious and time consuming, can lead to significant conclusions concerning indoor air quality.

Volume

45

Issue

1

First Page

11

Last Page

26

ISSN

0009-2223

Rights

Wiley-Blackwell

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