Early-stage concentrations of formaldehydes and TVOCs in a new low-energy building

Angela Sasic Kalagasidis,Fredrik Domhagen,Sarka Langer,J Kurnitski,T Kalamees

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202017206007

Abstract

This paper deals with temporary discomfort caused by characteristic odours from new objects and materials in office buildings. Earlier investigations have shown that increased ventilation rates in residential buildings decrease the indoor concentrations of non-occupant-related indoor air pollutants such as aldehydes and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). To study how this basic principle for the control of indoor air pollutants complies with a demand-controlled ventilation, which is an important energy efficiency measure in modern office buildings, the authors have designed and conducted a serial of field tests. Concentrations of aldehydes and TVOCs have been measured in two newly built and identical meeting rooms under different ventilation strategies. By overruling the existing demand control ventilation and increasing gradually but differently the air change rates in the rooms over a course of five weeks, the concentration of formaldehyde and TVOCs decreased for about 75 % from the initial values of ca. 45 μg/m3 and ca. 400 μg/m3 respectively. Impact of door openings on instantaneous indoor air quality has been studied in parallel by combining CO2 measurements and numerical simulations. Good agreement was found between the simulated and measured CO2 concentrations and thereby the door opening model was verified.

Highlights

Characteristic odours from new objects and materials in newly built or renovated offices in Sweden are normally harmless but may cause temporary discomfort among occupants
Designed ventilation is essential for achieving good indoor air quality (IAQ) regardless if it is combined with pollution source control, such as the use of low emission materials, or used in environments with uncontrollable pollution sources
Building materials can be large sources of indoor pollution [2], which is the reason why a lot of efforts have been put in designing lowemission materials and related standards [3]

Summary

Introduction

Characteristic odours from new objects and materials in newly built or renovated offices in Sweden are normally harmless but may cause temporary discomfort among occupants. Relations between ventilation rates and concentrations of indoor air pollutants are not always straightforward. While lower concentrations of formaldehyde have been measured in low-energy Swedish buildings that have significantly higher ventilation rates than the conventionally built houses, the opposite is found for TVOCs [6].

Results

Conclusion