Levels of Indoor VOCs in Workplaces in a Polluted Urban Area of London

Abstract

To date there have been few published investigations on the levels of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in workplaces in polluted urban areas in the UK. The present investigation was carried out in a non-smoking and naturally-ventilated office building situated along one of the most polluted roads in London in conjunction with the Dispersion of Air Pollutants and their Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) 2003 field campaign. The results from the measurements taken for indoor VOCs in offices where smoking was prohibited are reported. The concentrations of hexanal, m-, p-xylene, styrene, toluene and total VOCs (TVOCs) are presented and discussed. Other VOCs, in addition to those primarily selected for analysis, were also recorded.