Exposure Level and Control Measures for VOCs in Indoor Air after Different Degrees of Decoration

Objectives To understand the status of volatile organic compounds (VOSs) pollution in decorated rooms, and to analyze its sources and preventive measures.

Methods The monitoring data were classified into 4 groups according to the degree of decoration (low, middle and high) and furniture loading. There were 12 rooms in each group.The monitoring was started from 10 days after decoration, and then monitoring once every month for 7 times.The content of VOSs was determined by gas chromatography (GB 50325-2010).

Results The level of VOSs was (2.21±0.26) mg/m³in the middle decoration group, (3.68±0.49) mg/m³ in the high decoration group and (10.67±7.71) mg/m³in the furniture loading group, which were significantly higher than (1.04±0.36) mg/m³ in the low decoration group (P < 0.05). The concentration of VOCs was decreasing with the length of time passing; and it took 131 days, 161 days, 161 days and 191 days for low, middle and high decoration groups and furniture loading group to come to a security level of VOCs.

Conclusions The level of VOCs exposure in rooms was related to the degrees of decoration. Effectively controlling the quality and the amount of decoration materials, and choosing green furniture and right time to move in the decorated rooms might be the main measures to prevent adverse health effects caused by VOCs indoor exposure.