Building Products: Determining and avoiding pollutants and odours

This brochure highlights scientific investigations on building products, performed by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in co-operation with the Hermann Rietschel Institute of the Technical University of Berlin and commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). In the “Environmental and Health Provisions for Building Products – Determination and assessment of VOC and odour emissions” research project scientists studied building products used by building professionals and do-it-yourself enthusiasts for interior installation and decoration. It was found that certain products emit compounds which may impair not only the quality of the room air but also health and well-being of the occupants.