새가구를 도입한 거주공간의 실내공기질 분석

Analysis of the Indoor Air Quality of Living Spaces with New Furniture

The purpose of this study is to recommend ways of preventing sick furniture syndrome by analyzing the IAQ and related factors of living spaces with new furniture. The study undertook field investigation of the concentration of TVOC, HCHO, and PM10 before and after the adoption of the new furniture at two sites, and just after the adoption of new furniture at three sites. A survey was carried out among 368 university students using a questionnaire about the experience of buying new furniture, symptoms of sick furniture syndrome, and methods of addressing sick furniture syndrome. The results of the investigation at the five sites showed that the average TVOC concentration was 609–1687㎍/㎥, while HCHO was 0.04–0.28ppm, which exceed accepted standards. Comparisons between TVOC and HCHO levels at the different sites suggest that the factor most affecting TVOC and HCHO levels is furniture type (adhesive materials or other pollutant substances used in manufacture), rather than the size of the space, the period after new furniture adoption, or furniture size. As a result, we recommend the following: manufacturers should not ship products until pollutant substances are washed away and dust is removed; policies such as marks of certification for material grades should be enforced so that consumers can gain greater recognition of the problem.