INDOOR AIR POLLUTION BY MICROBIAL VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN INDOOR ENVIRONMENT : Characteristic of MVOCs emissions from fungi in materials

An emissions barrier was used in premises with indoor air complaints due to emissions from the buildings in question. The emissions comprised chlorophenols/chloroanisoles and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from treated wood, and volatile organic compounds (VOC), mainly 2-ethylhexanol, from PVC flooring and the glue used to paste the flooring onto a concrete slab. Attaching the barrier at the surfaces from where the emissions were spread (floor, walls, ceiling) resulted in a fresh and odour-free indoor air. We conclude that using an emissions barrier in buildings made unhealthy by moisture is an efficient way of restoring a pleasant and healthy indoor air.

Download Full-text

Volatile Organic Compounds Emissions from Particleboard Veneered with Decorative Paper Foil

Holzforschung ◽

10.1515/hf.2002.018 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 108-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

R. Wiglusz ◽

G. Nikel ◽

B. Igielska ◽

E. Sitko

Keyword(s):

Volatile Organic Compounds ◽

Organic Compounds ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Indoor Environment ◽

Health Hazard ◽

Wood Composite ◽

Volatile Organic

Abstract The indoor environment can constitute a serious health hazard if buildings are not properly constructed and finished. Building, finishing and furnishing materials may emit a large number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the indoor air. That wood-composite products are among the sources of formaldehyde emissions is well documented. Up until now very little has been known about the emission of VOCs from wood-composite products (Merrill and Steiber 1987; Levin 1992; Sundin and Edenholm 1992; Catananti et al. 1993; Barry and Corneau 1999). The aim of this work is the determination of VOC and formaldehyde emissions from particleboard veneered with decorative paper foil.

Download Full-text

MVOC-Konzentrationen in Klassenräumen und mögliche Einflussfaktoren/MVOC concentrations in classrooms and possible influencing factors

Gefahrstoffe ◽

10.37544/0949-8036-2020-06-24 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 80 (06) ◽

pp. 234-245

Author(s):

H.-D. Neumann ◽

M. Buxtrup

Keyword(s):

Volatile Organic Compounds ◽

Organic Compounds ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Guidance Document ◽

The Public ◽

Federal Environment Agency ◽

Volatile Organic ◽

Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds ◽

Environment Agency ◽

German Federal Environment Agency

Der neue Schimmelpilzleitfaden des Umweltbundesamtes (UBA) weist darauf hin, dass die Anwesenheit flüchtiger organischer Verbindungen mikrobiellen Ursprungs (microbial volatile organic compounds, MVOC) in der Raumluft ein Indikator für einen verdeckten Schimmelbefall sein kann. Zudem wurde eine Standardmethode für das Messen von MVOC veröffentlicht. Dies war Anlass, die Aussagekraft von MVOC-Messungen unter dem Aspekt von Schimmelpilzbelastungen in Räumen anhand der Messergebnisse aus der Studie „Gesunde Luft in Schulen“ der Unfallkasse Nordrhein-Westfalen (UK NRW) noch einmal kritisch zu hinterfragen. Im Ergebnis wurden in 370 der 381 untersuchten Klassenräumen MVOC nachgewiesen. Eine Korrelation zu den gemessenen Schimmelpilzkonzentrationen im Sedimentationsstaub konnte allerdings nicht festgestellt werden. Auch war keine Korrelation zu den Raumklimaparametern oder der Ausstattung der Räume erkennbar. Die gemessenen (M)VOC werden wohl eher aus Bauprodukten und Einrichtungen emittiert als durch Schimmelpilze erzeugt.   Summary The new mould fungi guidance document issued by the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) states that the presence of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) in indoor air can be an indicator of hidden mould infestation. A standard method for measuring MVOCs has also been published. This prompted a critical review of the validity of MVOC measurements for determining exposure to mould fungi in rooms. The review was based on results of measurements obtained during the „Healthy air in schools“ study conducted by the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the public sector in North Rhine-Westphalia (UK NRW). MVOCs were detected in 370 of the 381 classrooms examined. However, a correlation to the measured mould fungi concentrations in the deposited dust was not established, nor were correlations observed to the room climate parameters or the furnishings of the rooms. The (M)VOCs measured are more likely to be emitted from building products and furnishings than to be produced by mould.

Download Full-text