A new method using anion generating paint was tested to decrease the concentration of volatile organic compound gas which is the main cause of sick house syndrome in living atmosphere. The method can be widely applied with low cost because the anion generating paint uses the cheap and abundant aluminosilicate mineral as raw materials and maintains the ability to remove the VOCs in dark condition, which was the main demerit of conventional method using TiO2 photo catalyst. The effect of raw mineral treatment on the efficiency of VOCs removal was studied by applying the prepared anion generating paint on specimen surface and monitoring the content of VOCs within controlled box for 24 hours. The content of formaldehyde and toluene was decreased by 88.9% and 72.2%, respectively. The result of field test done in actual living apartment showed the removal ability of 92.2% for formaldehyde, 10% for benzene, 95.9% for toluene, 74.4% for ethylbenzen, 73.8% for p-xylen, and 83.7% for styrene. The concentration of other VOCs were also decreased to below the standard level recommended by Ministry of Environment.

Recently, concern about Sick House Syndrome (SHS) has been increased in Korea. And it is suspected that formaldehyde (HCHO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major factors for SHS. This study was surveyed the indoor air quality in new apartments in Korea. The HCHO and VOCs were measured at 90 sites and analysed by HPLC-UV and GC/MS, respectively. The range of HCHO concentrations at 90 sites were 9.39∼248.78㎍/㎥ and the mean value 105.41㎍/㎥ and the concentrations of HCHO at 42 sites (46.7%) exceeded the indoor air quality guideline (100㎍/㎥) in Japan. Among the 4 VOCs, toluene concentrations were the highest and the mean value 127.33㎍/㎥ and that concentrations at 12 sites (13.8%) were exceeded the indoor air quality guideline (260㎍/㎥) in Japan. There was a tendency which the longer the movement and measurement period is, the more the pollutants concentration is decreased. HCHO and VOCs concentrations of domestic results was similar to Japan's survey results in 2000.