International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—Five low energy test houses were investigated in order to study an effect of chemical and biological pollution on indoor air quality. It has been found that TVOC levels depend on building and finishing materials used in those houses. Ventilation is the most effective way to diminish TVOC concentrations in indoor air. To evaluate fungal contamination air and surface analyses were performed. Only the presence of Aspargillus and Penicillium indicated fungal pollution in air samples while surface analyses gave more complete information. The results showed that at standard ventilation conditions use of building materials with increased initial moisture content can cause significant mould development.

Index Terms—Indoor air quality, building materials, fungi, low energy house, volatile organic compounds.

Inga Apine is with the Botanical Garden, University of Latvia, 2 Kandavas Str., Riga, LV-1083, Latvia (e-mail: inga. apine@lu.lv).
Liana Orola is with the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Latvia, 48 Kr. Valdemāra Str., Riga, LV-1013, Latvia (e-mail: liana.orola@lu.lv).
Andris Jakovics is with the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, University of Latvia, 8 Zeļļu Str., Riga LV-1002, Latvia (e-mail: andris.jakovics@lu.lv).

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Cite: Inga Apine, Liana Orola, and Andris Jakovics, "Effect of Building Envelope Materials on Indoor Air Quality in Low Energy Test Houses," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 6, no. 12, pp. 952-957, 2015.