Researchers at Purdue University in Indiana have revealed that elevated air pollution levels trace back to office buildings within busy urban landscapes. The study appears in Cell Reports Sustainability, a peer reviewed journal that focuses on practical sustainability science and policy impacts.
Their analysis shows that commercial centers contribute a meaningful portion of volatile organic compounds to city air. many of these compounds present health risks to people who are exposed to them over extended periods, underscoring the public health implications of urban building operations.
Indoor VOC concentrations were observed to be two to fifteen times higher than those found outdoors. The emissions measured on a per-unit-area basis from commercial buildings matched the scale of emissions from traffic, industrial activity, and natural sources, highlighting a substantial contribution from the built environment to citywide air quality challenges.
The research team identified ongoing releases of reactive monoterpenes and siloxanes from office environments into the atmosphere. Siloxanes are chemicals commonly used in personal care products and fragrances, including deodorants, perfumes, lotions, and hair care items, linking everyday consumer goods to broader air quality considerations.
Scientists also question whether existing ventilation outlet filtration systems can effectively curb the outward flow of indoor pollutants into the outdoor environment. The feasibility, energy implications, and maintenance requirements of such filtration strategies are central to this ongoing inquiry.
Previous work examining greenery along major roadways found a notable reduction in vehicle exhaust pollutants, suggesting that vegetation can play a meaningful role in improving air quality along urban corridors. This line of evidence reinforces the idea that nature-based strategies may complement building level interventions in the broader effort to clean city air. At the time, a university based research program reported a reduction of more than one third in pollutants attributed to traffic, pointing to a potential pathway for urban planners and policymakers to pursue integrated solutions for urban air quality in North American cities.