Influence of the inhabitants on indoor air quality

The influence of inhabitants on indoor air quality (IAQ) was studied. The aim of the study was to find out how the inhabitants themselves and their living activities affect the IAQ. The concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia (NH3) in indoor air was measured in inhabited and in empty dwellings. A air change rates were also defined. Altogether 24 dwellings were examined. The results were compared with the surface floor area of the dwellings, the number of inhabitants, the number of pets and the absence or presence of smoking. The results showed that the effect of the inhabitants on IAQ was significant. The average values of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and NH3 concentrations were nearly twice as high in occupied dwellings compared to empty ones.