The development of indoor air quality during the first year in new, residential buildings

A 3-year research project was established in 1999 to create numerical reference data forindoor air quality follow-up in new buildings. A total of 12 measurement sites, representingthe present construction practice in Finland, were chosen for investigation. Low-emittingsurface materials according to the Finnish Classification of Building Materials were used atall sites. The indoor air VOCs, formaldehyde and ammonia concentration as well as thetemperature, relative humidity and the air exchange rate were defined for the newly finishedbuilding. The measurements were repeated after 6 and 12 months. The effect of the differentbuilding types, building materials and external conditions on indoor air concentrations aresummarized along with the questionnaire results given to the inhabitants on the indoor airquality experienced, living environment and health effects. As a conclusion, justificationaspects for indoor air concentration target values, defined in the Finnish Classification ofIndoor Climate 2000 are discussed.