People who live in buildings are exposed to harmful effects of indoor air pollution for many years. Therefore, our research is aimed to investigate the indoor air quality in family houses. The measurements of indoor air temperature, relative humidity, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), particulate matters (PM) and sound pressure level were carried out in 25 houses in several cities of the Republic of Macedonia. Mean values of indoor air temperature and relative humidity ranged from 18.9 °C to 25.6 °C and from 34.1% to 68.0%, respectively. With regard to TVOC, it can be stated that excessive occurrence was recorded. Mean values ranged from 50 μg/m³ to 2610 μg/m³. Recommended value (200 μg/m³) for human exposure to TVOC was exceeded in 32% of houses. Mean concentrations of PM_2.5 (particular matter with diameter less than 2.5 μm) and PM₁₀ (diameter less than 10 μm) are determined to be from 16.80 μg/m³ to 30.70 μg/m³ and from 38.30 μg/m³ to 74.60 μg/m³ individually. Mean values of sound pressure level ranged from 29.8 dB(A) to 50.6 dB(A). Dependence between characteristics of buildings (Year of construction, Year of renovation, Smoke and Heating system) and data from measurements (Temperature, Relative humidity, TVOC, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) were analyzed using R software. Van der Waerden test shows dependence of Smoke on TVOC and PM_2.5. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance shows the effect of interaction of Renovation and Smoke.

This paper compares the sustainability aspects of three family houses according to the Slovak building environmental assessment system (BEAS). Various categories of family houses were evaluated, including site selection, project planning, building construction, indoor environment, energy performance, and water and waste management. Based on the results, Family Houses 3 and 2 are certified as BEAS SILVER, with scores of 2.46 and 2.01, respectively. Family House 1 is certified as BEAS BRONZE, with an overall score of 1.44. The results show, not only the importance of the site in terms of availability, connectivity to the network and the potential to use renewable energy sources, but also the importance of the design and construction of the building, including the application of environmentally friendly building materials, ensuring the quality of the indoor environment and the energy efficiency of the building. The aims of this study were to highlight the current trend in the design and construction of low-rise residential family houses in Slovakia and to identify gaps in the design and construction of key sustainability aspects through the existing building environmental assessment system. In the future, many low-rise residential family houses will be assessed to modify and validate BEAS.

Paper is focused on the assessment of two alternatives of family house from environmental performance. Environmental impact categories such as Global warming potential (GWP), Acidification potential (AP) and Eutrophication potential (EP) expressed as CO_2eq, SO_2eq and PO₄³⁻_eq using the LCA assessment method are presented. Alternative solutions of building materials are also compared from phase shift of thermal oscillation. Results show that natural building materials are characterized by lower environmental impacts expressed as equivalent emissions of CO₂ (6%), SO₂ (24%) and PO₄³⁻ (44%). The wood fiber board can store nearly 24 times more heat than the mineral wool. The wood fiber boards have a phase shift of thermal oscillation of 7–13 h, while other insulation materials only about 3–4 h.

This study deals with the occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the indoor environment of a new and a renovated apartment. Qualitative determination of VOCs was carried out with a gas chromatograph with surface acoustic wave detector (GC/SAW). Concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) were determined by a photoionization detector with UV lamp. Simultaneously, temperature and relative humidity were monitored with a data logger. The aim of this study was to determine of TVOC concentrations, to use of GC/SAW for determination of individual VOCs in indoor air as well as to predict possible sources of VOCs in these apartments. Measurements were performed after each construction work for better resolution of the contributions of individual materials to the levels of VOC. Mean concentrations of TVOC were 624 μg/m ³ in the renovated apartment and 1,686 μg/m ³ in the new apartment after completion of all works. The results from the renovated apartment showed that the use of new materials can lead to lower levels of organic compounds in indoor air compared to old materials that were less environmentally friendly. Many types of VOCs were found in both apartments. After reviewing the possible sources, it seems that the main sources of these substances were applied coatings and flooring materials.

This paper aims to assess the environmental impact of family houses designed as a building with green technologies and green materials. These family houses are located in villages of Velky Folkmar and Jedlinka, which are situated in eastern Slovakia. The analysis investigates the role of application of these technologies on impact categories such as: global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), abiotic depletion potential fossil fuels (ADPF) expressed as CO_2eq, SO_2eq, PO₄³⁻_eq, kg ethylene and MJ, respectively within “Cradle to Grave” boundary by using the LCA assessment method. The main contribution of the study is to highlight the significance of green technologies in reduction of environmental impacts. The presented results show that house with built-in green materials and technologies causes significantly lower environmental impacts compared to house where both green technologies and conventional materials are built. The operation phase (B6) is characterized by greater environmental impacts compared to the product and construction phases, as well as deconstruction phase due to the use of green materials and technologies.

Measurements of indoor air quality (IAQ) factors in Macedonian homes were aimed at the determination of indoor air temperature, relative humidity, sound pressure level, particulate matters (PMs) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). IAQ monitoring were performed in 25 houses during summer period. Results pointed out that sound pressure level were high in most of the houses with mean values of 66.60 dB (A) - 55.30 dB (A). Limit value of 40 dB (A) was exceeded in 72% of houses. Mean values of indoor air temperature and relative humidity ranged from 21.6°C to 28.6°C and from 35.8% to 60.2%, respectively. Mean concentrations of particulate matter concentrations ranged between 9.75 μg/m3 - 71.73 μg/m3 and 23.63 μg/m3 - 145.10 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. Level of PM10 were high in 30% of the monitored houses. 56% of houses achieved higher concentration of PM2.5 than permissible value of 25 μg/m3. Excessive presence of TVOC was recorded in monitored homes with mean values from 260 ppm to 791 ppm. Results show that high exposure by noise, concentrations of TVOC and PMs in indoor air can affect family house users. Therefore, the indoor air quality needs to be investigated and people need to be informed about possible health consequences.