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Modelling of Emissions of Total Volatile Organic Compounds in an Australian House

Environmental Science, Division of Science and Engineering, Murdoch University, Perth, W.A., Australia

Frank Murray

Environmental Science, Division of Science and Engineering, Murdoch University, Perth, W.A., Australia

A simplified indoor air quality (IAQ) model has been applied to predict IAQ in an Australian house, using envi ronmental chamber measurements of source strengths, house ventilation and room size. Total volatile organic compounds (TVOCS) was used as the model pollutant in this study. The validity of the IAQ model was initially assessed by comparing model predictions with mea surements in the house over a period of time. The root mean square error between the measured and predicted values was 0.039. This model explains 57% of the poten tial for error. The TVOC concentrations measured in the conventional house ranged from 60 to 162 µg.m^-3 . These values are much lower than some published val ues (0.48-31.7 mg.m^-3) for new houses in Scandinavian countries and in the USA. The low TVOC concentrations obtained in this study probably result from the high ven tilation rates in this conventional house and the use of low TVOC emission materials.

Key Words: Modelling • Total volatile organic compounds • Indoor air quality model • Emissions • Environmental chamber

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