Environmental Perspective of Selected Interior Surface Material Ingrid JUHÁSOVÁ ŠENITKOVÁ, Michal KRAUS Department of Civil Engineering, The Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, info@krausmichal.cz

Objectives Indoor air quality depends on many factors, such as temperature, humidity, odors or presence of pollutants. Emissions and odors from different interior material surfaces were investigated. The chemical analysis and sensory assessments identifies health adverse of indoor air pollutants (TVOCs) and odors. Oriented Strand Boards, High Density Fiberboard laminate flooring, Polyamide carpet, Polyvinyl chloride flooring, Cork, Concrete/marble based flooring, Cotton carpet, Modern linoleum, Wooden parquet, acrylic based flooring were investigated as typical flooring covering. Painted gypsum boards as wall and ceiling coating material were used for studied combinations.

Methods The chemical analysis and sensory assessments identifies health adverse of indoor air pollutants (TVOCs). The TVOCs and odors emissions from various common indoor surface materials as well as their combination were investigated in test chamber under the standardized condition - temperature 23°C, relative humidity 50%, air velocity at the surface v = 0.1 – 0.2 m/s and air change rate n = 0.5 1/h. Chemical measurement methodology is based on the absorbed TVOCs gas chromatography analysis. The measurements were carried out in the glass test chamber with a volume 190 l. The exhaust air from each test chamber was led through a diffuser for sensory assessments. The subjects indicated their immediate evaluation on two continuous scales regarding odor intensity (from 0 no odor to 5 overwhelming odor) and acceptability of the air (from -1 clearly unacceptable to +1 clearly acceptable).

Results The results of sensory and chemical assessment provide better orientation for the selection of materials and design of interior surfaces. Most acceptable results in each criterion (odor acceptability, odor intensity and TVOCs concentration) were achieved in the case of material combination with acrylic based flooring covering. Acceptable results in each criterion were achieved in the case of material combination with cotton carpet, modern linoleum and wooden parquet flooring covering. Unacceptable results in each criterion were achieved in the case of material combination with OSB boards, HDF laminate, polyamide carpet and PVC flooring covering. Most material combination achieved the similar assessment results in each criterion.