Physiological and Psychological Effects of Volatile Organic Compounds from Dried Common Rush (Juncus effusus L. var. decipiens Buchen.) on Humans

This study compared the participants’ physiological responses and subjective evaluations of air scented with different concentrations of common rush (Juncus effusus L. var. decipiens Buchen.) (30 g and 15 g, with fresh air as a control). We asked 20 participants to complete a series of visual discrimination tasks while inhaling two different air samples. We evaluated (1) brain activity, (2) autonomic nervous activity, and (3) blood pressure and pulse rate, (4) in combination with self-evaluation. In addition, we quantified the concentrations of volatile organic compounds. The participants reported the scent to be sour, pungent, and smelly; this impression was likely caused by hexanal and acetic acid. Although the self-evaluations showed that participants did not enjoy the scent, their alpha amplitudes of electroencephalogram and parasympathetic nervous activity were increased, suggesting that participants were relaxed in this atmosphere. Moreover, a lower concentration resulted in a greater induction of relaxation. While the air was not pleasant-smelling, the volatile organic compounds present had a positive psychophysiological impact

スギの無垢材を内装に用いた室内空間における人滞在時の吸湿作用の検証

本研究では，スギ無垢材を内装に用いた室内空間における人滞在時の吸湿作用の検証を目的とした。スギ（Cryptomeria japonica）の無垢材を内装に用いた建物（A棟）と，パーティクルボードや中密度繊維板の表面に木目調のビニールクロスで覆った内装材を用いた建物（B棟）において，人滞在時の室内の温度および湿度を調査した。2014年から2015年にかけて計4回，人滞在時における温湿度調査をした結果，A棟では，B棟と比較して有意に湿度の上昇が抑制されることが明らかとなった。このことは，無垢材を内装に用いたA棟は，B棟に比べて高い吸湿作用を有することを示唆する。// This study focused on the humidity-control performance of the wooden dwelling spaces, which is related to the habitability. To evaluate the moisture-absorption performance in a condition close to real life, the room temperature and relative humidity were measured in a room using naturally processed sugi （Cryptomeria japonica ） wood boards （Room A） and a room using chemically processed wood materials（Room B）as interior materials while subjects were asleep. The interior materials of Room A were free from chemical processing and those of Room B were comprised of bonded or coated woods. The results obtained from this study during 2014 and 2015 demonstrated that the Room A showed higher moisture-absorption performance than the Room B