Indoor air quality and comfort in seven newly built, energy-efficient houses in France

International audienceA field survey was carried out in seven newly built energy-efficient houses in France. Several indoor air-quality indicators (total volatile organic compounds, volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, carbon monoxide, particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometre in diameter (PM2.5) and radon) and indoor environmental parameters (carbon dioxide, temperature, relative humidity and noise) were measured before and during the houses' first year of occupancy. The air exchange per hour (ACH) and air exhaust rate were measured simultaneously, and the perceptions of the occupants were evaluated with a questionnaire. The results show that the levels of aromatic hydrocarbons, terpenes, alkanes and aldehydes were higher before occupancy than during occupancy, whereas the opposite trend was observed for PM2.5. During occupation, the concentrations of acetaldehyde, alpha-pinene, ethylbenzene, limonene, styrene, toluene and xylenes decrease, most likely because of the decrease in emissions sources from houses. At the same time, the levels of benzene, formaldehyde, hexaldehyde, n-decane and n-undecane temporarily increase because of human activities. The PM2.5 levels show seasonal variation. Compared to standard French houses, the concentrations of benzene, ethylbenzene, m- and p-xylenes, PM2.5 and radon were low, whereas the CO2 and formaldehyde levels were not significantly different. In contrast, the levels of acetaldehyde, hexaldehyde, n-decane, n-undecane, oxylene and styrene were higher in these new homes, possibly because of the emissions from products and materials. Mechanical ventilation with heat-recovery systems allows for ACH levels of 0.5 h-1 or higher, making the air drier. Shortcomings of the system are also reported

Indoor air pollution, physical and comfort parameters related to schoolchildren's health:Data from the European SINPHONIE study

Substantial knowledge is available on the association of the indoor school environment and its effect among schoolchildren. In the same context, the SINPHONIE (School indoor pollution and health: Observatory network in Europe) conducted a study to collect data and determine the distribution of several indoor air pollutants (IAPs), physical and thermal parameters and their association with eye, skin, upper-, lower respiratory and systemic disorder symptoms during the previous three months. Finally, data from 115 schools in 54 European cities from 23 countries was collected and included 5175 schoolchildren using a harmonized and standardized protocol. The association between exposures and the health outcomes were examined using logistic regression models on individual indoor air pollutants (IAPs); a VOC (volatile organic compound) score defined as the sum of the number of pollutants to which the children were highly exposed (concentration > median of the distribution) in classroom was also introduced to evaluate the multiexposure \u2013 outcome association, while adjusting for several confounding factors. Schoolchildren exposed to above or equal median concentration of PM2.5, benzene, limonene, ozone and radon were at significantly higher odds of suffering from upper, lower airways, eye and systemic disorders. Increased odds were also observed for any symptom (sick school syndrome) among schoolchildren exposed to concentrations of limonene and ozone above median values. Furthermore, the risks for upper and lower airways and systemic disorders significantly increased with the VOCs score. Results also showed that increased ventilation rate was significantly associated with decreased odds of suffering from eye, skin disorders whereas similar association was observed between temperature and upper airways symptoms. The present study provides evidence that exposure to IAPs in schools is associated with allergic and respiratory symptoms in children. Further investigations are needed to confirm our findings