CHED 264 |
| Recent increases in indoor air pollution episodes have prompted researchers to pay closer attention to this specific area of indoor air quality. Since most people spend 75 to 90 percent of their time indoors. Researchers have found that pollutant levels in the air inside our homes are two to five times higher than the air outside (www.ecco.org). The majority of the population, including our loved ones suffers from asthma and other pollution-related health problems because of indoor VOC levels (Guo, H. et al, 2003). “New construction techniques and new materials such as carpet and paint, and consumer products have been introduced…some of which outgas more pollutants.” ( ASHRAE) In this study we planned to compare the VOC levels in new homes, old homes, and their outside environments. I found that newly constructed homes can be worse offenders, having significantly elevated VOCs and poor IAQ (www.ecco.org). According to my research there will be higher concentrations of VOCs in the new homes compared to the old home because of current construction materials and techniques (Environmental Council of Concrete Organizations, 1999). The VOCs were identified using a GC-MS to determine which VOCs are the most prevalent in the selected homes. The concentration and the possible health effects associated with VOCs found in the samples of the new homes were expected to exceed EPA standards. Keywords: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Analytical Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |