Title

Changes in concentration levels of selected VOCs in newly erected and remodelled buildings in Gdańsk

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-15-1999

Publication Title

Chemosphere

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, butyl acetate, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, styrene and m-dichlorobenzene were measured in three newly erected and remodelled dwellings. The present study also attempted to examine the time dependence of concentrations of selected VOCs in each investigated dwelling. This was accomplished by at least triplicate measurements of the IAQ.To collect a 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 recovered by solvent extraction, and analysed by capillary column gas chromatography, employing a flame ionisation detector.The experimental results showed that MAC values for analysed VOCs 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 VOCs decreased significantly with time, which should be expected, although in some cases the levels of selected VOCs remained still high.Our experience indicates that parallel 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 in monitored spaces.

Volume

39

Issue

12

First Page

2035

Last Page

2036

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(99)00092-2

ISSN

0045-6535

Comments

ESSN: 1879-1298

Rights

© 1999 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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