Issue 28, September 2009

Air quality in the indoor environment has caused considerable concern and gained attention recently due to recognition of its effects on occupant’s health and productivity.

Sick Building Syndrome is the term often given to a combination of ailments that are associated with the occupants of the building.  A World Health Organization (WHO, 1984) report suggested up to 30% of new and remodelled buildings worldwide may be linked to symptoms of sick building syndrome.

 
The level of chemical emissions from building materials and products are useful indicators for the possible health impacts. They are manifested as irritations or allergies. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which produce odour, are emitted from the various construction products and furnishings used in the building (for example paints, wall coatings, adhesives, carpets, carpet finishes, ceiling tiles, furniture etc). The number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present are not limited to one or two components, but can number up into the hundreds.

The exposure to VOCs including formaldehyde from wood products, can cause sensory irritation at low to medium levels of exposure to toxic effects at high levels. In general, the tissues effected are mucous membranes of eyes, nose and throat, skin on the face, neck and hands and upper and lower respiratory airways.

Several voluntary organisations such as Green Building Council of Australia and some industry organisations have come forward to promote sustainable products.  Many Australian manufactured building products meet the criteria of low VOC emissions but a government supported mandatory regulation does not exist.  Mandated use of the emission benchmarks for ecologically sustainable building products would have long-term benefits.
 

At CETEC, we specialize in evaluating the chemical emissions from materials, especially building products and their impact upon the indoor environment. The data collected from testing building products has been used to conduct risk assessments of specific structures in regards to indoor air quality. CETEC testing can confirm whether the structure as designed will present a low risk to occupants or if material substitutions should be undertaken to reduce the occupant exposure risk.
 

So next time you or some of your building occupants are suffering from cold or cough symptoms or allergies, it may not always be due to the bugs in the air, but could be from harmful chemicals emissions from the surrounding indoor environment.

By specifying and/or selecting low-VOC emitting building materials, followed by indoor air quality (IAQ) testing you will ensure you reduce the consequent risks associated with VOC emitting building products.  This will reduce potential health impacts, lower occupant productivity, litigation and management cost.

Don't be too alarmed, the picture is not all that grim! Architects, developers and builders, together with other professionals, are moving forwards and are increasingly using and specifying sustainable and low-emitting products in greater numbers, for sustainable living environment.
 

For more detailed CETEC information about chemical emissions testing:
Measurement of Chemical Emissions from Building Products

Chemical Emissions Testing for building products


 

Select another article from this issue:

	Materials and Healthy Environment Seminar
	What's that Smell?
	Winners at the Monash World Environment Day Awards and Monash Business Awards