Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Architectural Materials with Indoor Applications

摘要

The objectives of this study were to identify the major organic compounds emitted by some typical building construction and interior finish materials, quantify emissions of organic solvents from representative adhesives that have indoor applications, and evaluate methods for the rapid screening of architectural materials for organic emissions. Organic compounds emitted by 15 building construction and interior finish materials and by 15 adhesives were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A total of 68 major compounds were identified in the vacuum extracts of the construction and interior-finish materials. The lowest molecular-weight compounds among these were phenol, alkyl benzenes, naphthalenes and terpenes. The most frequently occurring compounds were plasticizers. Toleune, styrene and a variety of alkanes were identified in the vacuum extracts of the adhesives. Emission rates of toluene and total alkanes from the adhesives were determined using a simple exposure apparatus. After 9 to 14 days of drying, three solvent-based adhesives had toluene emission rates ranging from 0.6 to 60 mu g g exp -1 h exp -1 , and two water-based adhesives, used to glue carpets, had total alkane emission rates of 600 to 800 mu g g exp -1 h exp -1 . A simple ventilation model, assuming a single, well-mixed chamber, was used to rank the potential indoor air quality impacts of the adhesives. (ERA citation 09:019032)