Abstract
Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyls from three types of commercially available wallpapers (i.e., PVC-coated, paper-backed, natural material-coated) in Korea were evaluated using a 20 L small chamber. A total of 332 products were tested for emission factors, frequencies of occurrence and composition ratios. Toluene and formaldehyde concentrations were below Korean standard values for all products; however, the total VOC (TVOC) concentrations exceeded current standards (4.0 mg/m2·h) for 30 products. The TVOC emission factor for PVC-coated wallpapers, for which polymer materials are used in the manufacturing process, was seven and 16 times higher than those of paper-backed and natural material-coated wallpapers, respectively. The detection frequencies for toluene and formaldehyde were the highest (82.5%) and fourth highest (79.5%), respectively among the 50 target chemical species. The composition ratios for BTEX ranged from 0.3% to 5.1% and unidentified VOCs, which were not qualitatively analyzed using standard gas methods, ranged from 90.2% to 94.8%. Among six carbonyl compounds (acrolein was not detected in any type of wallpaper), acetone had the highest concentrations in PVC-coated (44.6%) and paper-backed (66.6%) wallpapers. Formaldehyde emissions were highest (64.6%) for natural material-coated wallpapers, a result of the formaldehyde-based resin used in the manufacturing process for these products.
Highlights
Since early 2000, issues related to the sick building syndrome (SBS) and the sick house syndrome (SHS) have been raised in Korea as a result of the deterioration of indoor air quality
The inflow of polluted outdoor air, human activities and insufficient air circulation in buildings can cause a deterioration in indoor air quality, building materials containing hazardous chemical are the major contributors of indoor air pollution
In 2004, which established the acceptable standards for total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (TVOC), toluene and formaldehyde concentrations emitted from building materials
Summary
Since early 2000, issues related to the sick building syndrome (SBS) and the sick house syndrome (SHS) have been raised in Korea as a result of the deterioration of indoor air quality. Building materials are important sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde in indoor environments. In 2004, which established the acceptable standards for total VOC (TVOC), toluene and formaldehyde concentrations emitted from building materials. This act established a restriction system for the use of building materials that exceed these standards in an effort to improve indoor air quality. There is extensive research on formaldehyde and VOC emissions from wood-based composites and flooring materials, few studies focused on wallpapers. 332 products were tested for major pollutants (i.e., TVOC, toluene and formaldehyde) emission factors, frequencies of occurrence, concentrations and composition ratios of VOCs and carbonyls
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