Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 8.4
Contaminant Risk Factors for Health and Comfort Complaints in Buildings
Level of risk
Contaminant
Low
Medium
High
Effects
Formaldehyde,
mg/m
3
<0.05
0.05-0.10
>0.10
Mucous membrane
irritation, SBS
ppmv
0.04
0.04-0.08
>0.08
VOCs, mg/m
3
SBS
Ozone,
mg/m
<0.05
0.05-0.10
>0.10
Mucous membrane
irritation
3
ppmv
<0.03
0.03-0.05
>0.05
Hydrogen chloride,
mg/m
<1.4
1.4-4
>4
Mucous membrane
irritation
3
ppmv
<1
1-3
>3
Nitrogen dioxide,
mg/m
3
<0.2
0.2-0.5
>0.5
Mucous membrane
irritation, asthma
ppmv
<0.1
0.1-0.3
>0.3
Carbon monoxide,
mg/m
3
>10
General symptoms
ppmv
>9
Carbon dioxide,
ppmv
<700
700-1000
>1000
Stale air
Mineral fibers,
Air, f/m
3
<200
200-1000
>1000
Mucous membrane
and skin irritation
Surfaces, f/m
2
<10
10-30
>30
Bacteria in air,
CFU/m
Allergy, SBS,
respiratory
complaints
3
Fungi in air,
CFU/m
Allergy, respiratory
complaints
3
Tobacco smoke
None
Sometimes
Constant
Eye irritation, SBS
Dust (air), mg/m
3
<0.1
0.1-0.3
>0.3
SBS, mucous
membrane irritation
Floor dust, g/m
<0.2
0.2-0.5
>0.5
SBS
2
Bacteria in floor
dust, CFU/g
<6 x 10
6-10 x 10
>10 x 10
SBS ?
3
3
3
Fungal spores in
floor dust, CFU/g
<1000
1000-3000
>3000
SBS ?, allergy
Macromolecular
organic dust, mg
MOD/g dust
<1
1-3
>3
SBS
Dust mites
Allergen/g dust
<100 ng
100-2000 ng
>2000 ng
Allergy, asthma
Mites/g dust
<5
5-100
>100
Source:
From Kukkonen, E. et al.,
Nordtest Report NT Technical Report 204
, Helsinki, 1993.
