Page 18 - InnoRenew CoE International Conference 2022
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Emission of VOCs from wood materials and impact on
indoor environment
Bakke Ingrid 1
1 Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Høgskoleveien 12, 1430 Ås Norway, ingrid.m.bakke@nmbu.no
Wood is known to emit a considerable amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into its surroundings.
Many VOCs are associated with Sick-Building-Syndrome (SBS), and up to 10% of the population experience
symptoms of SBS (Kishi et al., 2020). However, wood is generally regarded as a suitable material for indoor
surfaces, as multiple studies indicate positive psychological effects from exposure to wood. In addition, wood
surfaces are beneficial regarding their hygroscopic properties, as wood building materials have the potential to
reduce seasonal fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity (Nore et al., 2017). To assess the suitability of
wood as an indoor building material it is important to identify the size and profile of VOC emissions from wood.
In this study, emission rates of six VOCs were measured during construction of student housing in Fredrikstad,
Norway. The main frame of the building was cross-laminated timber (CLT) and air samples were collected
from rooms with either ceiling or ceiling and one wall in visible CLT. The sampling was performed during nine
weeks of construction, and the air samples were analyzed using TD-GCMS. All emission rates of the VOCs,
namely camphene, α-pinene, β-pinene, β-myrcene, 3-carene and hexanal, were below recommended LCI values,
indicating no adverse health impact in the indoor environment.
Keywords: VOC, indoor air quality, cross-laminated timber, health impact
Acknowledgment: The authors gratefully acknowledge receiving funding from the Norwegian University of
Life Sciences and the Student Welfare Organization in Østfold.
REFERENCES
Kishi R., Norbäck D., Araki A., 2020. Indoor environmental quality and health risk toward healthier environment
for all, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
Nore K., Nyrud A., Kraniotis D., Skulberg K. R., Englund F., Aurlien T., 2017. Moisture buffering, energy potential,
and volatile organic compound emissions of wood exposed to inoor environments. Science and Technology of
the Built Environment. 23(3), 512-521. https://doi.org/10.1080/23744731.2017.1288503
18 1 7 – 1 8 N OVE M B E R 2 0 2 2 I I Z O L A , S LOVE N I A
indoor environment
Bakke Ingrid 1
1 Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Høgskoleveien 12, 1430 Ås Norway, ingrid.m.bakke@nmbu.no
Wood is known to emit a considerable amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into its surroundings.
Many VOCs are associated with Sick-Building-Syndrome (SBS), and up to 10% of the population experience
symptoms of SBS (Kishi et al., 2020). However, wood is generally regarded as a suitable material for indoor
surfaces, as multiple studies indicate positive psychological effects from exposure to wood. In addition, wood
surfaces are beneficial regarding their hygroscopic properties, as wood building materials have the potential to
reduce seasonal fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity (Nore et al., 2017). To assess the suitability of
wood as an indoor building material it is important to identify the size and profile of VOC emissions from wood.
In this study, emission rates of six VOCs were measured during construction of student housing in Fredrikstad,
Norway. The main frame of the building was cross-laminated timber (CLT) and air samples were collected
from rooms with either ceiling or ceiling and one wall in visible CLT. The sampling was performed during nine
weeks of construction, and the air samples were analyzed using TD-GCMS. All emission rates of the VOCs,
namely camphene, α-pinene, β-pinene, β-myrcene, 3-carene and hexanal, were below recommended LCI values,
indicating no adverse health impact in the indoor environment.
Keywords: VOC, indoor air quality, cross-laminated timber, health impact
Acknowledgment: The authors gratefully acknowledge receiving funding from the Norwegian University of
Life Sciences and the Student Welfare Organization in Østfold.
REFERENCES
Kishi R., Norbäck D., Araki A., 2020. Indoor environmental quality and health risk toward healthier environment
for all, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
Nore K., Nyrud A., Kraniotis D., Skulberg K. R., Englund F., Aurlien T., 2017. Moisture buffering, energy potential,
and volatile organic compound emissions of wood exposed to inoor environments. Science and Technology of
the Built Environment. 23(3), 512-521. https://doi.org/10.1080/23744731.2017.1288503
18 1 7 – 1 8 N OVE M B E R 2 0 2 2 I I Z O L A , S LOVE N I A
