Emissions of VOCs, SVOCs, and mold during the construction process: Contribution to indoor air quality and future occupants’ exposure

摘要

Building materials and human activities are important sources of contamination indoors,but little information is available regarding contamination during constructionprocess which could persist during the whole life of buildings. In this study, sixconstruction stages on two construction sites were investigated regarding the emissionsof 43 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 46 semi-volatile organic compounds(SVOCs), and the presence of 4 genera of mold. Results show that the future indoorair quality does not only depend on the emissions of each building product but thatit is also closely related to the whole implementation process. Mold spore measurementscan reach 1400 CFU/m~3, which is particularly high compared with the concentrationsusually measured in indoor environments. Relatively low concentrations ofVOCs were observed, in relation to the use of low emissive materials. Among SVOCsanalyzed, some phthalates, permethrin, and hydrocarbons were found in significantconcentrations upon the delivery of building as well as triclosan, suspected to be endocrinedisruptor, and yet prohibited in the treatment of materials and constructionsince 2014. As some regulations exist for VOC emissions, it is necessary to implementthem for SVOCs due to their toxicity.