Abstract
A pilot study was conducted in order to investigate the concentrations of indoor and outdoor VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) at ten homes and four building offices in Seoul during March-April, 1993. The five components of VOCs(Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, o-Xylene, m/p-Xylene) were collected using charcoal tube and were analysed using Gas Chromatography(GC) with a Flame Ionization Detector(FID). The mean concentations of indoor VOCs were shown as Benzene of 38.9 .mu.g/m$^{3}$. Toluene of 165.0 .mu.g/m$^{3}$, Ethylbenzene of 21.7 .mu.g/m$^{3}$, o-Xylene of 11.6 .mu.g/m$^{3}$ and m/p-Xylene of 29.3 .mu.g/m$^{3}$, but those corresponding that indoor levels of VOCs were higher than corresponding outdoor levels. The ratio of indoor and outdoor VOCs were higher than corresponding outdoor levels. The ratio of indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations was 0.99 for Benzene, 1.23 for Toluene, 5.86 for Ethylbenzene, 5.23 for o-Xylene, 2.41 for m/p-Xylene in homes, while 2.02 for Benzene, 1.15 for Toulene, 0.96 for Ethylbenzene, 1.41 for o-Xylene, 1.38 for m/p-Xylene in offices, respectively. The mean concentrations of VOCs in homes were higher than those levels in offices, while the mean concentration of VOCs during active hour of occupants in a day were higher 1-3 times than the levels during non-active hour. Comparing VOCs levels by building's age, the mean concentrations of Benzene, o-Xylene and m/p-Xylene were higher in new building than old building, but the mean concentrations of Toluene and Etylbenzene in new building were lower than old building. The mean concentrations in all components of VOCs in smoking area were higher than non-smoking area. These results suggested that the VOC levels were affected by various indoor characteristics and behavioral activity of occupants.
