| Abstract = The
emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from five different building
products (BPs) were studied in te micro emission cell, FLEC, 48 hours after
start of conditioning and testing. The BPs were: Carpet (latex), PVC flooring,
floor varnish, sealant, and waterborne wall paint on gypsum board. Emission
testing was carried out at air velocity ca. 2 cm/s. GC/MS analysis identified
from 27 to 34 different VOCs for each BP. The VOC concentrations of emitted
VOCs measured, by GC/FID analysis, after 48 hours were transformed to model
room concentrations. The number of VOCs above 3 pg/m³ was between
four and six and the number of VOCs having concentrations above their human
odor threshold was from zero to three; none were above their airway irritation
threshold. The perceived air quality (PAQ) in decipol (in the CLIMPAQ under
comparable conditions) appeared to be governed by those VOCs having low
odor thresholds (high odor indexes), and neither the summed concentration
of VOCs, nor the major VOCs emitted. Despite low VOC emitting BPs, the
PAQ was considerable (11-22 decipol), thus calling for a less rigid use
of human odor thresholds as comfort endpoints. |