[The occurrence of organic volatile compounds in a sample room of a new building in relation to the "natural" air exchange].

The occurrence of certain volatile organic compounds was to be investigated in a sample room of a new building to determine any health hazard arising from the employed materials. Approximately 60 volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyls, inorganic fibrous particles and "natural" air-exchange were included in the investigation. The reasons for increased concentrations of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds could be determined by material-emission-investigations. These investigations further revealed that medical-hygienic demands for sufficient "natural" air-exchange should possibly be given priority over warmth conservation regulations (Wärmeschutzverordnung) that require a high degree of insulation in windows and doors. If this is not taken into consideration then some of the staff may display a variety of symptoms known as "sick-building-syndrome".