Reference Values for Building Material Emissions and Indoor Air Quality in Residential Buildings (Referenssiarvot rakennusmateriaalien emissioille seka sisailman laadulle asuinrakennuksissa)

摘要

Indoor air concentrations and emissions from structures and interior materials were investigated in eight residential buildings during the time of construction and the first year of occupancy. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and ammonia concentrations and emissions as well as temperature, humidity, and ventilation were measured. The total VOC (TVOC) concentration was generally above the S3-class limit of 600 mg/m3 (FiSIAQ 2001) in the newly finished buildings but the concentration usually decreased below the S3-level and in some apartments below the S1-level of 200 mg/m3 in six months. The concentrations of the major VOCs decreased most strongly during the first six months of occupancy, reaching mean concentration levels of 5.15 mg/m3. Variables affecting the concentrations of indoor air gaseous pollutants in the buildings were the ventilation system, the floor covering material, the ceiling surface product, the wall surface product, the season, the relative humidity and temperature of the indoor air, and occupancy. The relative humidity (RH) affected ammonia and formaldehyde concentrations most strongly. Higher concentrations were measured when the RH was above 50% during the follow-up.