Experimental studies on TVOC concentrations and their relationships with indoor comfort parameters

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) remains a very important issue because it can significantly affect people’s health, comfort and productivity. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) comprise an important group of chemicals that are commonly present in indoor air. They are related to the sick building syndrome (SBS) and exposure to VOCs is of considerable concern due to their potential chronic and acute health outcomes which includes eye irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, nausea, fatigue, or dizziness. Most of the times the effects of VOCs on human health are amplified by indoor conditions such as temperature and humidity. The paper presents the findings of the analysis of the relationship between total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) concentrations and their influencing factors like indoor comfort parameters (temperature and relative humidity) and the type of indoor spaces (offices, residential and educational).