Title: | Efficiency and performance tests of the sorptive building materials that reduce indoor formaldehyde concentrations |
Author(s): | Huang KC; Tsay YS; Lin FM; Lee CC; Chang JW; |
Address: | "Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Department of Wood Science and Design, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan" |
DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0210416 |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1932-6203 (Electronic) 1932-6203 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "The adsorption of volatile organic compounds by building materials reduces the pollutant concentrations in indoor air. We collected three interior building materials with adsorption potentials-latex paint, micro-carbonized plywood, and moisture-buffering siding-used the sorptive building materials test (SBMT) to determine how much they reduced indoor formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations, and then assessed the consequent reduction in human cancer risk from HCHO inhalation. Adsorption of HCHO by building materials significantly improved the effective ventilation efficiency. For example, the equivalent ventilation rate for Celite siding-used for humidity control-was 1.44 m3/(m2.h) at 25 degrees C, 50% relative humidity (RH); the loading factor (L) was 0.4 m2/m3, and the HCHO concentration was 0.2 ppm; this effect is equivalent to a higher ventilation rate of approximately 0.6 air changes per hour in a typical Taiwanese dwelling. There was also a substantial reduction of risk in Case MCP-2 (Cin,te: 245 mug/m3, 30 degrees C, 50% RH): males: down 5.73 x 10-4; females: down 4.84 x 10-4). The selection of adsorptive building materials for interior surfaces, therefore, significantly reduces human inhalation of HCHO. Our findings should encourage developing and using innovative building materials that help improve indoor air quality and thus provide building occupants with healthier working and living environments" |
Keywords: | "Adsorption Adult Air Pollutants/adverse effects/analysis Air Pollution, Indoor/*analysis/*prevention & control Construction Materials/*analysis Environmental Monitoring/methods/standards Female Formaldehyde/adverse effects/*analysis Humans Male Paint Risk;" |
Notes: | "MedlineHuang, Kun-Chih Tsay, Yaw-Shyan Lin, Fang-Ming Lee, Ching-Chang Chang, Jung-Wei eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2019/01/25 PLoS One. 2019 Jan 24; 14(1):e0210416. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210416. eCollection 2019" |