Indoor air quality assessment through formaldehyde emission
Case study of vinyl flooring
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46421/euroelecs.v6.7970Keywords:
Indoor Air Quality, Environmental Certifications, Building MaterialsAbstract
People spend indoor most of their time. Then the ambient air must be free of harmful and toxic compounds. Sources of air pollution include the human body, the type of activity performed, tobacco smoke, emissions of fibers, plastic products and synthetic products. The objective of this study is to analyze the emissions of formaldehyde (HCHO) from a vinyl floor covering, after its installation on a building floor, during a fixed time period and lasting 28 days. The case study considered a hospital located in the city of Vitória (ES). The measurements of the formaldehyde concentrations carried out indicate values satisfying the limit established by the Brazilian legislation. However, according to some international standards and the environmental certifications LEED, BREEAM, AQUA-HQE and WELL, the concentrations obtained still exceed safe values. It is possible to conclude that the experimental procedure proved to be fundamental for evaluating the emission of formaldehyde from vinyl floor coverings and their influence on indoor air quality. It is also important to highlight the need to update Brazilian legislation on the permissible limits of formaldehyde for people's health in building environments.
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