Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) as Index of Indoor Air Quality and Its Measuring and Evaluation

Abstract

This review describes the definition of TVOC, measuring method, biological influence, standard value, effect and the defect, significance of existence and how to use it. The process for which TVOC has been used as an indoor environment quality index is also explained. TVOC was proposed as an index which showed the possibility of the pollution influence. It was also proposed as the overall, simple notation of VOCs of which many kinds existed in the indoor air. TVOC has been used in a lot of the research. However, the defect as the index that showed the contaminated level was pointed out by existence of small amount stimulus ingredients missed by a present VOC/TVOC measuring method. TVOC can’t be a toxic academic index essentially. On the other hand, because a lot of VOCs coexists, to which the standard value is not set yet, TVOC has the practical meaning as an environmental protection index to achieve the decrease of the VOC risk through the monitoring of VOC concentration and the evaluation of source such as construction materials.