Building Biology Standard:
Chemical Pollutants
Volatile organic compounds
1 Formaldehyde (VOC)
2 Solvents (VOC)
3 Pesticides (SVOC)
Heavy metals and
particulate matter
4 Heavy metals
5 Particles and fibers
6 Indoor climate
Air humidity
Carbon dioxide
Air ions
Odors
1 Formaldehyde and other toxic gases
Anomaly
Formaldehyde
Extreme
> 100
> 0.08
µg/m3
ppm
No
< 20
< 0.016
Slight
20–50
0.016–0.04
Severe
50–100
0.04–0.08
2 Solvents and other volatile organic
compounds (VOC)
Anomaly
Solvents (VOC)
Extreme
> 1000
The building biology guideline values apply to the sum of all volatile organic compounds (TVOC).
For the evaluation of individual substances, see the AGÖF Guidance Values for Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air or the Indoor Air Guide Values by the German Federal Environnment Agency (UBA) (at least take action if the RWI values are exceeded).
µg/m3
No
< 100
Slight
100–300
Severe
300–1000
3 Pesticides and other semivolatile organic
compounds (SVOC)
Anomaly
Pesticides Air
Dust
Extreme
> 100
> 60
> 2000
> 10
> 10
> 200
> 1000
> 5
> 20
The building biology guideline values apply to individual substances, with the exception of PCBs.
Wood
Material with skin contact
Flame retardants
Chlorinated in dust
Halogen-free in dust
Plasticizers Dust
PCBs Dust
PAHs Dust
ng/m3
mg/kg
mg/kg
mg/kg
mg/kg
mg/kg
mg/kg
mg/kg
mg/kg
No
< 5
< 10
< 100
< 0.5
< 0.5
< 5
< 100
< 0.5
< 0.5
Slight
5–25
10–30
100–500
0.5–2
0.5–2
5–50
100–250
0.5–2
0.5–2
Severe
25–100
30–60
500–2000
2–10
2–10
50–200
250–1000
2–5
2–20
4 Heavy metals and other similar toxins
Building biology guideline values for heavy metals are not yet available.
For an assessment tool, see AGÖF Guidance Values for Semivolatile Compounds and Heavy Metals in House Dust (in German).
5 Particles and fibers
Indoor concentration levels of particulate matter, fibers, or dust should be lower than the normal, uncontaminated outdoor concentration levels.
Asbestos and mineral fibers should be undetectable or only minimally detectable in the indoor air, on surfaces, or in house dust.
6 Indoor climate
Anomaly
Relative humidity
Carbon dioxide
Small air ions
Anomaly
Extreme
< 20 / > 80
> 1,500
> 1,500
Very unpleasant
Unacceptable
There should be no individual odors that are perceived as disturbing.
Odors
% RH
ppm
/cm3
Extreme
No
40–60
< 700
< 500
None
None
None
Slight
30–40 / 60–70
700–1,000
200–1,000
Slight
Still acceptable
Not unpleasant
Severe
20–30 / 70–80
1,000–1,500
1,000–1,500
Severe
Unpleasant
Hardly
acceptable