• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.425-434
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• 2022

Objectives: This study analyzes TVOC concentrations in root industry workplaces in order to prevent probable occupational disease among workers. Root industry includes all the infrastructure of manufacturing, such as casting and molding. Methods: Real-time TVOC sensors were deployed in three root industry workplaces. We measured TVOC concentrations with these sensors and analyzed the results using a data-analysis tool developed with Python 3.9. Results: During the study period, the mean of the TVOC concentrations remained in an acceptable range, 0.30, 2.15, and 1.63 ppm across three workplaces. However, TVOC concentrations increased significantly at specific times, with respective maximum values of 4.98, 28.35, and 26.65 ppm for the three workplaces. Moreover, the analysis of hourly TVOC concentrations showed that during working hours or night shifts TVOC concentrations increased significantly to higher than twice the daily mean values. These results were scrutinized through classical decomposition results and autocorrelation indices, where seasonal graphs of the corresponding classical decomposition results showed that TVOC concentrations increased at a specific time. Trend graphs showed that TVOC concentrations vary by day. Conclusions: Deploying a real-time TVOC sensor should be considered to reflect irregularly high TVOC concentrations in workplaces in the root industry. It is expected that the real-time TVOC sensor with the presented data analysis methodology can eradicate probable occupational diseases caused by detrimental gases.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.489-495
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• 2004

In this article, various aspects of errors involved in the measurement of TVOC were examined as part of study to develop the indoor pollution indices. For this purpose, TVOC term was computed by two different calibration approaches, i.e., by assuming all VOC are detected in the same manner as toluene and by summing up as many individual VOC as possible. The results of our study indicate that the common, toluene-based method suffers from errors inherent in the development of such theory. Consequently, it is concluded that more research efforts have to be directed to the improvement of such concept as TVOC.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.81-86
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• 2010

The main sources of the new house syndrome(sometimes it called sick building syndrome) are a concentration of formaldehyde (HCHO) and a concentration of total volatile organic compounds(TVOC). I had field measurements of indoor air quality in the apartment unit at medium-size cities(Y city, C city). I measured indoor air temperature, HCHO concentration in 16 units, TVOC concentration in 6 units and air tightness in 7 units. And I measured outdoor air quality, HCHO concentration and TVOC concentration. Mean concentration of HCHO was $357{\mu}g/m^3$(2006 standard=$120{\mu}g/m^3$), mean concentration of TVOC was $3,092{\mu}g/m^3$ and mean effective air leakage area was 193 cm2. There was a close relation between the indoor air temperature and HCHO concentration, between the indoor air temperature and TVOC concentration. Air tightness also had relation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.204-213
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• 2020

Objective: This study is aimed at investigating indoor air quality on public transportation (subway, train, and bus) according to changes in season and time. Methods: We evaluated TVOC and HCHO on public transportation based on the un-controlled parameters of the Ministry of Environment. We also measured temperature and humidity since they affect the concentration of TVOC and HCHO. For public transportation classification, subway lines were classified into Lines 1 to 4. Additionally, trains were classified as ITX and KTX. Results: When comparing summer and winter on public transportation, the concentrations of TVOC and HCHO did not show any particular tendency. However, the concentrations of TVOC and HCHO during traffic congestion was higher than levels during times of non-congestion on most public transportation. In summer and winter, the measurement results for temperature and humidity showed a normal range, so temperature and humidity did not affect the concentrations of TVOC and HCHO. In the case of TVOC, TVOC concentrations on new trains were found to be relatively higher than on older ones, but there was no statistically correlation. Conclusions: A survey was conducted on the indoor air quality on public transportation. This study also analyzed data based on TVOC and HCHO for designing policies and managing indoor air quality.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.15 no.4 s.57
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• pp.129-137
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of living factors on TVOC(Total Volatile Organic Compounds) concentrations and personal factors to reduce the Sick House Syndrome for newly-built apartments. The field measurements of TVOC concentrations were made totally 30 times(5 times per one subject house) in six apartment units in which residents recently moved. Those apartments authorized its business approval before May 2004, the Act of Indoor Air Quality Management for multi-use facilities. The Questionnaire surveys of residents' subjective responses on the Sick House Syndrome were carried out in 2nd measurement of each house. Respondents consisted of 20 residents living in the measured houses. The findings were as follows: The TVOC concentrations of the measured subject apartments ranged from about 1/10 of the recommended standard for multi-use facilities($400{\mu}g/m^3$) to up to 90 times as high as the standard. Since then, the Recommended Standard of Indoor Air Quality Management for newly-built apartment house was announced in December 2005. In accordance with this standard($2390{\mu}g/m^3$) it ranged from about 1/100 to up to 15 times as high as the standard. The subject house whose TVOC concentrations reduced below the recommendation standard in the shortest period had the largest amount of ventilation (all the windows were open for ventilation in the past three months) among all measured houses. The reason of another house whose TVOC concentrations were much higher than the rest was fronted with new furniture in the room. There turned out to be no apparent relations between the TVOC concentrations and the residents' individual responses of Sick House Syndrome. The responses were serious in those who stayed in their new houses for a long period or had disease like allergy. It's recommended that they should open all the windows for at least three months for ventilation in newly-built houses, and it would be better to avoid remodeling than needs be.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.2 s.89
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• pp.132-139
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• 2006

Number of aerosol, CO, $CO_2$ and TVOC after one-, two-, three-cigarettes smoking were monitored with time every 10 minute for 180 minutes in the seminar room (volume $51.1m^3$) when poorly-ventilated. IAQ monitor (IAQRAE, model PGM-5210) and PortCount (TSI, model 8020) were used for monitoring. Aerosol was decreased with exponential decay equation and it was estimated that number of aerosol would be long suspended (one cigarette 75/cc. two cigarettes 66/cc, three cigarettes 141/cc by 8hrs after smoking). While CO was also decreased with exponential or linear decay equation and correlated with number of aerosol strongly, TVOC and $CO_2$ were increased with linear equation in accordance with time lag. Most of TVOC and $CO_2$ were above standard levels of Korean Indoor Air Quality (Ministry of Environment) without regarding number of cigarettes. When naturally ventilated, all of CO, $CO_2$ and TVOC concentrations were dramatically decreased below standard levels of Korean Indoor Air Quality.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1363-1374
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine the actual state of the indoor air quality in newly built or remodeled kindergartens by TVOC and HCHO concentration and teachers' responses. The field measurements on the levels of TVOC and HCHO were carried out in six classrooms of newly built or remodeled kindergartens before their opening. The interviews with teachers of subject kindergartens were carried out at the end of the first semester. The contents of the interviews were teachers' subjective responses and symptoms of the kindergarten pupils on the Sick New-School Syndrome. The results are as follows; the mean value of TVOC concentration in the classrooms of kindergartens ranged from 0.10ppm to 0.42ppm, which can theoretically exert a harmful influence on residents. The mean value of HCHO concentration ranged from 0.00ppm to 0.03ppm, which does not exceed the standard. The TVOC concentrations of the more ventilated kindergartens were lower than the others. Also, the classrooms with high concentrations of TVOC showed negative responses or symptoms in teachers and kindergarten pupils.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.93-99
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• 2008

The environment draws attention in the global community and a growing number of Koreans have interest in improving the quality of life, the importance of house environment has attracted the attention of the public. Against this backdrop, constructors have unveiled environmentally -friendly projects. However, they failed to establish people-oriented environment by being occupied with maximizing profitability through the improvement of brand image and caused sick house syndrome that has recently made controversy. In this regard, the study analyzed the mechanism of discharge of TVOC, one of the sick house syndrome-causing materials, that affects IAQ and its characteristics and examined the effect that granodiorite has on reduction of the discharge of TVOC in order to minimize damage. Experimental sample consisted of interior finishing materials frequently used in ceiling, wall and floor and adhesives used at a time of construction, and the TVOC of building materials was measured through the use of septum bottle unlike In the existing chamber method. Measures to counter the sick house syndrome were suggested by reducing the possible damage from the stage of selection of building material and by figuring out the effect that the granodiorite has on reduction of the discharge of TVOC.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.488-495
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• 2007

A wallpaper having many surfaces in indoor is composed of various raw materials. In this study, TVOC contribution from raw materials of PVC wallpaper was evaluated by using headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME)-GC/MS. Samples were diluent, resin stabilizer, plasticizer, filler, blowing agent and PVC resin. 9 mL of each sample was put into 22 mL glass vial and they were equilibrated for 1 hour at $100^{\circ}C$. Headspace in vial was absorbed to $75{\mu}m$ Carboxen-PDMS fiber and analyzed by GC/MS. Aromatic compounds like a toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene, ketones compounds like a acetone, methoxyacetone and 2-butanone and alkane compounds like a nonane decane and undecane were identified from raw materials. And alcohol compounds like a ethanol and butanol and aldehydes were detected. TVOC emission of diluent, resin stabilizer, plasticizer, PVC resin, blowing agent and filler were $54.20{\mu}g/g$, $32.88{\mu}g/g$, $0.50{\mu}g/g$, $0.88{\mu}g/g$, $0.22{\mu}g/g$ and $0.11{\mu}g/g$, respectively. Contribution of TVOC emission of diluent, resin stabilizer and PVC resin that were concerned about add ratio were 0.708, 0.129, 0.115, respectively. In conclusion, it's necessary to reduce TVOC emission through improvement of diluent, resin stabilizer and PVC resin. Also, HS-SPME-GC/MS method which was developed in this study will be used for raw materials analysis effectively.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.115-122
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• 2016

Purpose: The study is to measure indoor air pollutants concentration of existing housing and to analyze the causes and assess in accordance with the government's criteria. The research result could be used as data for public health through indoor air quality management of existing housing and more as a reference for new housing. Method: It was investigated 24 middle class housings of metropolitan area in summer which have been built for the past 30 years. Concentration of HCHO, TVOC was investigated in living room at morning and night and concentration of $CO_2$ was investigated in living room and master bedroom at morning and night. SKT100-X5 was used for concentration of HCHO, TVOC and ZGm053UK for concentration of $CO_2$. Result: Average concentration of TVOC was 1.31 times more than that of HCHO and standard deviation of that was 1.73 times higher. Average concentration of $CO_2$ was almost nearly close to 1,000ppm being criteria of the Ministry of Environment.