Indoor Emissions from Conversion Varnishes

摘要

The paper discusses indoor emissions from conversion varnishes. This projectinvolved three commercially available conversion varnish systems. An EPA Method 24 analysis determined total volatile content, and a sodium sulfite titration method determined uncombined (free) formaldehyde content of the varnish components. The resin component was also analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) (EPA Method 311 with an MS detector) to identify individual organic compounds. Dynamic small chamber tests identified and quantified emissions following application to coupons of typical kitchen cabinet wood substrates, during both curing and ageing. Results of small chamber tests confirmed that the amount of free formaldeyde initially applied to the surface represents only a fraction of the total amount of formaldehyde emitted, implying that formaldehyde is formed as a result of the curing reaction.