Health-conscious building : how material emissions affect the quality of interior spaces
Loading...
Files
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Company
URL
Shelf Location
Date
Abstract
"Today's focus on healthier lifestyles is leading many people to question the influence of building structures and interior spaces on their wellbeing. Most people spend approximately 90% of their entire life in interior spaces breathing air which may contain toxic chemicals from building materials. [...] The following question will be discussed, analyzed and answered in this thesis. How can volatile organic compounds (VOCs) be avoided and a health-promoting residential building be created? A close examination of materials and construction methods that will ensure the lowest total volatile organic compound (TVOC) values and thus support healthy indoor air quality will be performed. Indoor air quality measurements will be done to clarify this issue. Additionally, olfactory and visual material preferences will be evaluated by a survey. The results of the broad literature research, the TVOC measurements and survey results serve as guides for architects, interior designers, planners and builders and should support them in the planning of a low-emission house. To be able to discuss and answer the research question the following additional questions need to be addressed: 1. What effects does the conventional construction of residential buildings have on indoor air quality and what are the health risks? 2. Which opportunities to influence do architects and planners have during the planning process to optimize the health safety and the quality of residential properties? The overall health and well-being of people occupying interior spaces is mainly influenced by five physical quantities: - Room air temperature - Temperature of the room enclosing surfaces (floor, walls & ceiling) - Air circulation - Humidity - Gaseous and dusty contaminants (VOC emissions) Four of the above criteria are well controlled in most of the western world. However, the fifth criterion has again become a problem in the last several decades although removing fossil fuel-based heating systems. The focus on energy savings and the wish to lower pollution levels in the atmosphere led to higher pollution in today's buildings. The problem of indoor air pollution is analyzed and described in this work. A possible solution is presented in this context and can be found in chapter 3.4. and the final section."