Volatile Organic Compounds in the Air of 25 Greek Homes

Abstract

Sixteen volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified and quantified in the air of 25 homes in Athens area for a period of one year. Active sampling was performed using a personal air pump and the samples were analysed by Thermal Desorption/Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionisation Detection. The 16 compounds included aliphatic and branched alkanes, aromatic and cyclic compounds as well as a chlorohydrocarbon. The 25 homes could be divided into smokers’ and nonsmokers’ households and also into old and new or renovated residences. Mean, median, maximum and minimum concentrations of the 16 VOCs as well as seasonal, daily and hourly variations were estimated in the total of 324 samples. Additionally, an attempt was made to identify the predominant sources of pollution in the 25 homes. The percentage occurrences of the 16 selected compounds were above 50% of the total number of measurements. The concentrations of the 16 VOCs reached maximum values more often in wintertime, while presence of many of the detected compounds correlated well with specific indoor sources.