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The effects of renovation work on the air quality and occupants in university buildings

From National Research Council Canada

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Affiliation
  1. National Research Council of Canada. NRC Institute for Research in Construction
FormatText, Article
ConferenceIndoor Air 2008, The 11th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, August 16, 2008, Copenhagen, Denmark
SubjectAir quality; volatile organic compounds; questionnaire; chamber test; controlling strategy
Abstract
This study aimed to prevent chemical air pollution and its influence on occupants' health in a university building under renovation. Since starting the renovation work, the occupants' health was monitored using questionnaires. According to a first questionnaire collected before the renovation, subjective symptoms were not observed. However, some occupants complained about odor after moving into their new rooms. Therefore, all interior materials used for the construction work were examined in small chambers and it was found that odor emitted mainly from flooring materials. Polyvinyl chloride floor sheet, adhesive, and a combined floor were investigated, and the adhesive was considered to be the main source of odor in the renovated rooms. To remove these odorous chemicals, two strategies were adopted; that is, a chemical filter in indoor air conditioning units and forced ventilation with hot-humid air was used. It was proved that both strategies have a significant effect on reducing VOCs.
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  • Indoor Air 2008, The 11th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate [Proceedings] (16 August 2008): 1–8.
LanguageEnglish
Peer reviewedYes
NRC numberNRCC 50849
NRC-IRC-19938
NPARC number20377593
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Record identifier5ad0d00e-19b1-444b-a0f0-20313f3f8f9f
Record created2012-07-24
Record modified2020-04-15
Date modified: