Volatile organic compounds in 169 energy-efficient dwellings in Switzerland.

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State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: CC BY 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_BB9F2B44D541
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Volatile organic compounds in 169 energy-efficient dwellings in Switzerland.
Journal
Indoor air
Author(s)
Yang S., Perret V., Hager Jörin C., Niculita-Hirzel H., Goyette Pernot J., Licina D.
ISSN
1600-0668 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0905-6947
Publication state
Published
Issued date
05/2020
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
30
Number
3
Pages
481-491
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Exposure to elevated levels of certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in households has been linked to deleterious health effects. This study presents the first large-scale investigation of VOC levels in 169 energy-efficient dwellings in Switzerland. Through a combination of physical measurements and questionnaire surveys, we investigated the influence of diverse building characteristics on indoor VOCs. Among 74 detected compounds, carbonyls, alkanes, and alkenes were the most abundant. Median concentration levels of formaldehyde (14 μg/m <sup>3</sup> ), TVOC (212 μg/m <sup>3</sup> ), benzene (<0.1 μg/m <sup>3</sup> ), and toluene (22 μg/m <sup>3</sup> ) were below the upper exposure limits. Nonetheless, 90% and 50% of dwellings exceeded the chronic exposure limits for formaldehyde (9 μg/m <sup>3</sup> ) and TVOC (200 μg/m <sup>3</sup> ), respectively. There was a strong positive correlation among VOCs that likely originated from common sources. Dwellings built between 1950s and 1990s, and especially, those with attached garages had higher TVOC concentrations. Interior thermal retrofit of dwellings and absence of mechanical ventilation system were associated with elevated levels of formaldehyde, aromatics, and alkanes. Overall, energy-renovated homes had higher levels of certain VOCs compared with newly built homes. The results suggest that energy efficiency measures in dwellings should be accompanied by actions to mitigate VOC exposures as to avoid adverse health outcomes.
Keywords
Air Pollutants/analysis, Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis, Environmental Monitoring, Switzerland, Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis, building characteristics, dwellings, energy efficiency, thermal retrofit, ventilation, volatile organic compounds
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
01/04/2020 21:12
Last modification date
30/04/2021 7:14
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