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Indoor TVOC Emissions from Residential Construction Materials and the Role of Ornament Plants in Mitigation

Kittiwoot Chaloeytoy, Wannawit Taemthong

Abstract


Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from building materials are a primary source of indoor air pollution. This study investigated total volatile organic compound (TVOC) emission profiles from five materials commonly used in Thai residential buildings, including paint color, engineered wood, and sealants, and evaluated the mitigation potential of nine ornament plants using controlled chamber tests. TVOC concentration monitoring results revealed that silicone-based sealants produced high initial emissions with rapid decay patterns. To assess phytoremediation efficiency, ornament plants were then introduced into chamber tests. The results demonstrated significant variation in plant TVOC uptake. Dracaena braunii Engl. emerged as the effective species, achieving an absorption rate per leaf surface area of 20.42 mg/m3.m2. These findings underscore that while construction material emissions posed degrees of respiratory risks, strategic plant selection offered a viable solution for improving indoor air quality. Ornament plants can significantly accelerate TVOC mitigation, providing a practical framework for enhancing well-being in post-construction residential environments.

Keywords



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DOI: 10.14416/j.asep.2026.07.006

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