A method for determination of the sink effect of VOCs from building materials

Kjaer, UD; Nielsen, PA; Vejrup, KV; Wolkoff, P

HERO ID

80257

Reference Type

Book/Book Chapter

Year

1996

Language

English

HERO ID 80257
Year 1996
Title A method for determination of the sink effect of VOCs from building materials
Book Title Characterizing sources of indoor air pollution and related sink effects
Authors Kjaer, UD; Nielsen, PA; Vejrup, KV; Wolkoff, P
Editor Tichenor, BA
Publisher Text American Society for Testing and Materials
City West Conshohocken, PA
Page Numbers 123-133
Abstract It is important to know both the emission and the sorption behavior of materials when constructing or renovating buildings in order to avoid material related indoor climate problems. With a general, low-cost test method, the sink effect of materials under normal conditions can be incorporated as information in an indoor climate labeling system for materials. Reconditioned samples of waterborne paint applied on tinned steel plates and carpet were placed in small test chambers at a controlled air exchange rate and mean air velocity. The sorption behavior of the materials was studied, while ambient air from a recently renovated office environment was passed through the chambers. The desorption of VOCs from the test samples was analyzed chemically and by sensory evaluation. The results showed a correlation between the chamber concentration in the desorption phase expressed as the percentage of the concentration in the office air and the gas chromatographic retention times of the VOCs (using a semipolar column). The results are used to propose a general test method for assessing the sink effects of materials used in the indoor environment. A mixture of pollutants with affinities to indoor surfaces is proposed for adsorption testing under controlled environmental conditions. A mathematical model of the distribution of emitted VOCs between indoor air and sinks is proposed. It is possible to calculate the impact of the sinks on the indoor air quality by comparison within door relevant thresholds for odor and mucous membrane irritation.
Wosid BCI:BCI199699121088
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Conference Location Washington, DC
Series ASTM STP 1287
Isbn 9780803120303
Conference Name Symposium on Methods for Characterizing Indoor Sources and Sinks
Conference Date September 25-28, 1994
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Relationship(s)