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Factors Effecting the Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) Concentrations in Slovak Households

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  • Ľudmila Mečiarová

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Košice, Vysokoškolská 4, 04200 Košice, Slovakia)

  • Silvia Vilčeková

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Košice, Vysokoškolská 4, 04200 Košice, Slovakia)

  • Eva Krídlová Burdová

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Košice, Vysokoškolská 4, 04200 Košice, Slovakia)

  • Jozef Kiselák

    (Institute of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Jesenná 5, 04001 Košice, Slovakia)

Abstract

Thirty five Slovak households were selected for an investigation of indoor environmental quality. Measuring of indoor air physical and chemical factors and a questionnaire survey was performed during May 2017. The range of permissible operative temperature was not met in 11% of objects. Relative humidity met the legislative requirements in all monitored homes. Concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) were significantly higher in the apartments than in the family houses. The average TVOC levels in the apartments and family houses were 519.7 µg/m 3 and 330.2 µg/m 3 , respectively. Statistical analysis confirmed the effect of indoor air temperature, relative humidity and particulate matter (PM 0.5 and PM 1 ) on the levels of TVOCs. Higher TVOC levels were observed also in homes where it is not a common practice to open windows during cleaning activities. Other factors that had a statistically significant effect on concentrations of volatile organic compounds were heating type, attached garage, location of the apartment within residential building (the floor), as well as number of occupants. Higher TVOC concentrations were observed in indoor than outdoor environment, while further analysis showed the significant impact of indoor emission sources on the level of these compounds in buildings. The questionnaire study showed a discrepancy between objective measurement and subjective assessment in the household environment, and pointed to insufficient public awareness about volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Suggested Citation

  • Ľudmila Mečiarová & Silvia Vilčeková & Eva Krídlová Burdová & Jozef Kiselák, 2017. "Factors Effecting the Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) Concentrations in Slovak Households," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-26, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:12:p:1443-:d:120107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kenichi Azuma & Iwao Uchiyama & Koichi Ikeda, 2007. "The Risk Screening for Indoor Air Pollution Chemicals in Japan," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(6), pages 1623-1638, December.
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