Sources and source strengths of volatile organic compounds in a new office building

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1991.10466944· OSTI ID:5913582

Hodgson, A T; Daisey, J M ^[1]; Grot, R A ^[2]

---

1. Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
2. National Inst. of Standards and Technology, Washington, DC (United States)

This study was conducted at a newly constructed federal office building in Portland, Oregon. The primary objectives were to identify the major sources of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the building and to measure both long-term (one year) and short-term (several day) variations in concentrations and source strengths. Samples for VOC were collected on four occasions over a period of 14 months starting with the first month of occupancy. During the final sampling period, samples were collected over four days (Friday-Monday). The samples were analyzed for individual compounds and for total VOC (TVOC). The results were expressed as specific source strengths, as well as concentrations, to facilitate comparisons of measurements made under different ventilation conditions. The primary source of VOC in the building was identified as liquid-process photocopiers and plotters which emitted a characteristic mixture of C{sub 10}-C{sub 11} isoparaffinic hydrocarbons. The specific source strength of TVOC, which was dominated by the emissions from these office machines, remained relatively constant over the course of the study. Motor vehicles in the below-ground parking garage were implicated as another major source of hydrocarbons in the building. Over the final four-day sampling period, the specific source strength of TVOC varied by about a factor of five, predominantly reflecting occupant use of office machines.

• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5913582
• Journal Information: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States) Vol. 41:11; ISSN JAWAE; ISSN 1047-3289
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AUTOMOBILES
BUILDINGS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
HYDROCARBONS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MONITORING
OFFICE BUILDINGS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTANTS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
VEHICLES