Abstract

The report deals with the results of a study of emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in houses. Consumer products, building materials and activities can lead to elevated VOC levels in indoor air in dwellings. Sixteen groups of products are examined for high VOC content. Information is collected about 56 selected products making an important potential contribution to total VOC concentration in dwellings. Based on the results of this inventory and an assumed frequency of usage, the potential contribution of each group of products to VOC levels in indoor air in small dwellings with poor ventilation has been assessed. It seems that applications in bulk have an important influence on the annual average concentrations. When not applied in bulk still the concentrations can exceed guidelines for formaldehyde and 1,1,1-trichloroethene.