Shahla Ghaffari Jabbari

• Jabbari, Shahla Ghaffari; Domínguez, Jose Fermoso; Sufuentes, Sandra Rodríguez; Nyberg, Svein Olav Glesaaen; Vehus, Tore & Nielsen, Henrik Kofoed (2026). A Time-Resolved Analysis of VOCs and VVOCs from Interior Wood Materials in Low-Ventilation Environments. Forests. 17(8). doi: 10.3390/f17080884. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Selecting interior wood materials requires balancing functional and aesthetic demands with indoor air quality, as wood can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs) that either peak shortly after installation or persist over time. This study investigated time-resolved VOC and VVOC accumulation concentrations from untreated pine, spruce, aspen, and oak, representing wood species commonly used in Norway. Concentrations of VOCs and VVOCs were monitored for 25–28 days under low-ventilation, worst-case chamber conditions using Proton Transfer Reaction–Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS). Emission behaviour was assessed using peak concentration, decay rate, half-time, stabilised concentration, cumulative exposure (AUC28), and available health-based thresholds. Clear species-dependent differences were observed. Pine was the dominant VOC source, with the highest peak concentration, stabilised concentration, and AUC28, mainly due to monoterpenes, which remained above the health-based threshold throughout the test period. Oak showed the second-highest VOC burden and a distinct acetate-dominated profile, with acetic acid showing the longest predicted exceedance duration. Aspen and spruce had lower VOC burdens, but their cumulative VVOC exposure exceeded VOC exposure. VVOCs generally peaked earlier than VOCs, although persistence varied by species. Overall, the concentration of VOCs and VVOCs was controlled by species, compound chemistry, volatility, and internal transport, supporting species- and compound-specific ventilation and material-selection strategies.

• Jabbari, Shahla Ghaffari; Domínguez, Jose Fermoso; Sufuentes, Sandra Rodríguez; Nyberg, Svein Olav Glesaaen; Vehus, Tore & Nielsen, Henrik Kofoed (2025). VOC emissions from commercial wood panels using PTR-MS for indoor air quality evaluation. Frontiers in Built Environment. 11. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2025.1591669. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction: Wood panels, commonly used in cold climates like the Nordic countries for their aesthetic surface and availability, emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can impact indoor air quality and may contribute to health risks, especially with repeated or prolonged exposure. While research has primarily focused on untreated fresh wood, little attention has been given to the VOC emissions from commercial wood panels. This study aims to investigate the VOC emission pattern, intensity, and profile of nine commercially untreated and treated wood panels commonly used in indoor environments, focusing on how wood type and surface treatments influence emission characteristics. Methods: The study utilizes Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry combined with passive sampling, offering a more comprehensive analysis of volatile organic compounds, including both volatile and very volatile compounds, which traditional gas chromatography cannot capture. Advanced statistical methods, such as Bayesian posterior, principal component analysis, and hierarchical clustering analysis, were employed to identify key emission contributors and classify emission patterns. Results: The findings reveal that emission intensity and profiles are influenced by wood type and surface treatments. Pine and oak emitted higher proportions of VOCs, while spruce primarily emitted VVOCs. Glazing, staining, and painting significantly affect emission intensity, with glazing reducing pine total emissions by 81% and increasing them in spruce by 65%. Staining pine reduced VOC emissions by 74% but increased VVOC emissions by 63%, shifting the emission profile. Despite high emission intensity from untreated pine, painting reduced TVOC emissions by 93%, aligning its profile with lower-emission woods like aspen and spruce, making it more suitable for indoor use. Discussion: The right treatment can transform high-emission woods into materials resembling low-emission species, offering a practical means to mitigate indoor VOC loads.

• Jabbari, Shahla Ghaffari; Vrcelj, Zora; Chau, Hing-Wah; Maleki, Aida & Olesen, Bjarne W. (2023). Individual Factors that Affect the Perceived Thermal Comfort Condition during Heating Seasons. Journal of Architectural Engineering. ISSN 1076-0431. 29(2). doi: 10.1061/JAEIED.AEENG-1508. Full text in Research Archive

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• Jabbari, Shahla Ghaffari; Nielsen, Henrik Kofoed & Vehus, Tore (2024). EXPLORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT AIR CLEANER TECHNOLOGIES IN REMOVING AIR POLLUTANTS WITH FOCUSING ON ENERGY SAVING and COSTS - AN OVERVIEW. Full text in Research Archive

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