Impact of air velocity, temperature, humidity, and air on long-term VOC emissions from building products

Wolkoff, P

HERO ID

3005854

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1998

Language

English

HERO ID 3005854
In Press No
Year 1998
Title Impact of air velocity, temperature, humidity, and air on long-term VOC emissions from building products
Authors Wolkoff, P
Journal Atmospheric Environment
Volume 32
Issue 14-15
Page Numbers 2659-2668
Abstract The emissions of two volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of concern from five building products (BPs) were measured in the field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC) up to 250 d. The BPs (VOCs selected on the basis of abundance and low human odor thresholds) were: nylon carpet with latex backing (2-ethylhexanol, 4-phenylcyclohexene), PVC flooring (2-ethylhexanol, phenol), floor varnish on pretreated beechwood parquet (butyl acetate, N-methylpyrrolidone), sealant (hexane, dimethyloctanols), and waterborne wall paint on gypsum board (1,2-propandiol, Texanol). Ten different climate conditions were tested: four different air velocities from ca. 1 cm s(-1) to ca. 9 cm s(-1), three different temperatures (23, 35, and 60 degrees C), two different relative humidities (0% and 50% RH), and pure nitrogen instead of clean air supply. Additionally, two sample specimen and two different batches were compared for repeatability and homogeneity. The VOCs were sampled on Tenax TA and determined by thermal desorption and gas chromatography (FID). Quantification was carried out by individual calibration of each VOC of concern. Concentration/time profiles of the selected VOCs (i.e. their concentration decay curves over time) in a standard room were used for comparison. Primary source emissions were not affected by the air velocity after a few days to any great extent. Both the temperature and relative humidity affected the emission rates, but depended strongly on the type of BP and type of VOC. Secondary (oxidative) source emissions were only observed for the PVC and for dimethyloctanols from the sealant. The time to reach a given concentration (emission rate) appears to be a good approach for future interlaboratory comparisons of BP's VOC emissions.(C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Doi 10.1016/S1352-2310(97)00402-0
Wosid WOS:000074870800022
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Scopus URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0032145426&doi=10.1016%2fS1352-2310%2897%2900402-0&partnerID=40&md5=b74e7c9362ad99de257aa8a3fe3c230b
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword air velocity; building products; emission testing; FLEC; relative humidity; repeatability; temperature; VOCs (volatile organic compounds)