Page 6 - Energy Recovery Ventilation

Main Indoor Air Pollutants

and Their Impact on Health

Most modern individuals spend more than 80% of their day in highly sealed indoor environments to save energy.
However, these indoor spaces often lack effective air circulation with the outside, leading to indoor air quality that is
more than three times more polluted than outdoor air. This can result in various issues, including increased levels of dust,
bacteria, harmful gases, odors, and more.

Airborne Pollutants Main Sources Impact on Health
Airborne bacteria (mold, Humidifiers, air conditioners, refrigerators, pets, Infectious diseases, allergies, skin problems,
pollen, bacteria, viruses, human activities, food waste, carpets respiratory diseases, lung diseases, bronchial diseases,
etc.) lung cancer, itching, eczema, skin spots, ringworm, etc.
Various types of plywood, boards, furniture, Eye, nose, and throat irritation, dizziness, coughing,
Formaldehyde insulation materials, cigarette smoke, cosmetics, emotional anxiety, memory impairment, diarrhea,
clothing, adhesives, etc. skin conditions, sick building syndrome
Acetaldehyde Synthetic resins, adhesives, fragrances Unpleasant odors
Chipboard, building materials, adhesives, lacquer, Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headache, nausea,
Acetone
nail polish remover anesthesia, skin peeling and inflammation
Headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of directional
Combustion gases Stoves, fuel combustion, gas stoves sensation, growth disorders, chronic respiratory
(CO, NOx, SOx) diseases (pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, chronic
bronchitis)
Outdoor air inflow, daily activities, clothing, smoking,
Dust, heavy metals Asthma, lung cancer, etc.
combustion devices, etc.
Radon Soil, building materials, groundwater Class 1 carcinogen (causes lung cancer, etc.)
Volatile organic compounds,
hydrocarbons, Cigarette smoke Carcinogens
fine particulate matter, tar,
nicotine
Building materials, laundry detergent, paint, Carcinogenic substances, anesthesia symptoms,
Benzene insecticides, petrochemical products, respiratory difficulties, drowsiness, blood disorders,
automotive exhaust, fuel combustion liver disorders, anemia, leukemia
Cigarette smoke, building materials, paint, Skin, eye, throat irritation, headache, dizziness, fatigue,
Toluene
insecticides, fuel combustion balance disorders, paralysis, loss of consciousness
Ethylbenzene Automotive exhaust, cigarette smoke Odor
Dizziness, vertigo, drowsiness, numbness, pulmonary
Xylene Adhesives, paint
edema, decreased appetite, nausea, abdominal pain
Respiratory irritation (skin, eyes, nose), drowsiness,
Styrene Adhesives, kitchen wrap, plastic products, film unconsciousness, Effects on the nervous system,
kidneys, lungs, and liver
Tetrachloroethylene, Carpet cleaners, stain removers, Anesthesia, odor
ethylene dry cleaning solvents

▶ ▶ Recommended Indoor Air Quality Standards (Appendix 3: Article 4)Recommended Indoor Air Quality Standards (Appendix 3: Article 4)
Until 2017 From 2018
Pollutant Items Total Volatile
Nitrogen Radon Organic Fine
Dioxide (Bq/m3) Compounds Asbestos Ozone Particulate Mold
(ppm)
Multi-Use Facilities (µg/m3) (product/cc) (ppm) Matter (CFU/m3)
(PM-2.5) (µg/m3)
 Underground subways, underground shopping
malls, railroad station waiting rooms, passenger
car terminal waiting rooms, port facilities waiting
rooms, passenger terminals in airports, libraries, 500
museums and art galleries, large stores, funeral or less
halls, movie theaters, academies, exhibition 0.05 0.06 - -
facilities, business facilities of the internet or less 148 0.01 or less
computer game service industry, business or less or less
facilities of bathhouses
 Medical institutions, childcare centers, 400
postpartum care centers, elderly care facilities or less
 Indoor parking lots 0.3 1,000 0.08 70 500
or less or less or less or less or less

ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION 06