Study of indoor chemical substance monitoring system and control of ventilation by semiconductor-based sensor: Evaluation of removal of odor substance in the ward

Abstract

Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome and odor caused by indoor chemical substances have become a problem. In addition, energy-saving measures to control the outside air intake rate according to indoor carbon dioxide concentration and the number of occupants have received attention in recent years. However, attention is rarely paid to the increase in indoor chemical concentration due to the decrease in the outside air intake rate. To measure the concentrations of indoor chemical substances, such as formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (YOC), gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography and other techniques need to be used and it is not easy to obtain measurements in a short time. Further, there are no systems capable of accurately monitoring the concentration of indoor chemical substances. To solve these problems, a simplified method of measuring the concentration of total volatile organic compounds (TYOC) and odor using a semiconductor sensor was developed and the development results were presented in the previous report. This paper reports the evaluation results of the characteristics of semiconductor sensors installed in office building and ward with 4 patients, and the results of confirmation that the semiconductor sensors could be used for monitoring the concentration of chemical substance and the adequate regulation of ventilatory volume in the mockup of ward with 4 patients by the above monitoring result.