Chemical emission rates from personal computers

T. Nakagawa, Pawel Wargocki, S. Tanabe, Charles J. Weschler, S. Baginska, Zsolt Bako-Biro, Povl Ole Fanger

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    Chemical emission measurements from different brands of personal computers (PCs) were conducted in a 1 m3 glass chamber. Eight PCs were tested individually. Each consisted of the same brand of PC tower and one of the 4 different brands of PC monitors. Within each brand both cathode-ray tube (CRT) and thin-film transistor (TFT) flat panel monitors were evaluated. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes were quantified using GC/MS and HPLC, respectively. Compared with PCs with TFT monitors, PCs with CRT monitors had slightly higher emission rates of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, emitted greater quantities of C3-C6 aldehydes having low odor thresholds and had higher emissions of aromatic hydrocarbons. Emission rates of aliphatic hydrocarbons were low for both PCs with CRT and TFT monitors. However, estimated concentrations of these chemicals in a normal office space based on the measured emission rates were much lower than the odour thresholds.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationHealthy Buildings 2003 : Proceedings of the 7th International Conference
    Volume1
    Place of PublicationSingapore
    PublisherHealthy Buildings
    Publication date2003
    Pages468-473
    Publication statusPublished - 2003
    Event7th International Conference on Healthy Buildings 2003 - Singapore, Singapore
    Duration: 7 Dec 200311 Dec 2003
    Conference number: 7
    http://hb2003.nus.edu.sg/

    Conference

    Conference7th International Conference on Healthy Buildings 2003
    Number7
    Country/TerritorySingapore
    CitySingapore
    Period07/12/200311/12/2003
    Internet address

    Keywords

    • Aldehydes
    • VOC
    • Emissions
    • Personal computers
    • Electronic equipment

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