Absorption of volatile organic compounds by different wool types

Abstract

This paper summarises the quantitative analysis of the absorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), namely gaseous formaldehyde, toluene, limonene and dodecane, by different wool types. VOCs are of increasing concern due to their role as accumulating indoor air contaminants, and this paper demonstrates the potential of wool as a sustainable and natural solution to this problem. Building on previous data, different wool types were tested by way of two different methods to assess their absorption ability with regard to these VOCs. For formaldehyde analysis, the samples were subjected to cycles of exposure to excess formaldehyde gas while the weight gain was measured. For the other VOCs, a modified microchamber was used to flow the gases through the samples, followed by trapping and quantification of the non-absorbed VOCs using Tenax TA tubes. The data presented indicate that wool is able to absorb a range of VOCs in differing amounts. The data also show that the amount and the type of VOCs absorbed by wool were dependent on the sheep breed and the processing of the wool.