Ozone deposition velocities, reaction probabilities and product yields for green building materials

Indoor surfaces can passively remove ozone that enters buildings, reducing occupant exposure without an energy penalty. However, reactions between ozone and building surfaces can generate and release aerosols and irritating and carcinogenic gases. To identify desirable indoor surfaces the deposition velocity, reaction probability and carbonyl product yields of building materials considered green (listed, recycled, sustainable, etc.) were quantified. Nineteen separate floor, wall or ceiling materials were tested in a 10 L, flow-through laboratory reaction chamber. Inlet ozone concentrations were maintained between 150 and 200 ppb (generally much lower in chamber air), relative humidity at 50%, temperature at 25 °C and exposure occurred over 24 h. Deposition velocities ranged from 0.25 m h−1 for a linoleum style flooring up to 8.2 m h−1 for a clay based paint; reaction probabilities ranged from 8.8 × 10−7 to 6.9 × 10−5 respectively. For all materials, product yields of C1 thru C12 saturated n-aldehydes, plus acetone ranged from undetectable to greater than 0.70 The most promising material was a clay wall plaster which exhibited a high deposition velocity (5.0 m h−1) and a low product yield (

► Ozone uptake rates and carbonyl emissions measured for 19 green building materials.
► Green materials similar to conventional materials, but natural oils may increase emissions.
► Clay wall plaster has a high ozone reduction capability and low product emissions.