Estimation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Human Health Risk Assessment of Simulated Indoor Environment Consisting of Upholstered Furniture Made of Commercially Available Foams

Alena Capíková,Pawan Kumar Mishra,Adam Ekielski,Josef Hlavaty,Daniela Tesařová

doi:10.1155/2019/5727536

Alena Capíková, Pawan Kumar Mishra + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5727536

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Abstract

This study was conducted for the qualitative and quantitative determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) from polymeric foam materials used in upholstered furniture. Six different types of foams viz. Highly elastic foam K5040, standard PU foam N5063, bonded polyurethane foam R100, viscoelastic foam V5020, self-extinguishing foam KF5560, and foam rubber were used. Short-term and long-term (24, 48, 72, 672 hours (28 day)) measurements were done to differentiate the role of primary emissions (present in new products) and secondary emissions (due to chemical reactions in material or slowly released due to the porous structure of material). The samples were collected using a small-space sampling chamber at a temperature of 23°C and a humidity of 50% depending on the aspect of time. The concentrations of VOC and TVOC were identified and quantified using a Gas chromatography–Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) based method. Based on the VOC measurements, the standard room concentrations were simulated to estimate the human health risk assessment for all six types of foams. The results of simulations suggest no possibility of human health risk for the very long period (28 days), as the estimated values were found to be much below the prescribed limits.

Highlights

Today’s society spends the majority of their time in con ned spaces, mostly in their homes, up to 95% and about 6% of their time in vehicles [1]. e indoor environment is, an important aspect of human life, and it is essential that its quality—health safety—is at the highest level
Air quality can be measured and analyzed by taking an air sample, which is evaluated by the appropriate method for the amount of volatile organic substances (VOC) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) ranging from hexane to hexadecane (C6–C16) which is an indicator of ambient air cleanliness. e primary sources of emissions in the interior are furniture materials like the wood used in furniture [2, 3], foams, and human activities. e most widespread compounds are formaldehyde and acetaldehyde
The presented results indicate that the values of TVOC for K5040, N5063, and foam rubber decreased over time

Summary

Introduction

Today’s society spends the majority of their time in con ned spaces, mostly in their homes, up to 95% and about 6% of their time in vehicles [1]. e indoor environment is, an important aspect of human life, and it is essential that its quality—health safety—is at the highest level. Concerns about consumer safety are a reason to control airborne pollutants like VOCs, and these undesirable substances are released from the materials used in indoor products manufacturing [5]. Ese polymer-based materials have a cellular structure and are porous and to a certain extent, breathable. It performs the so ening function of the touch surfaces with the body of the user, and at the same time, it can behave as a carrier of VOCs. Generally, VOCs can be controlled at source (during the manufacturing of the indoor product), ventilation, and air-cleaning [12]. In the context of upholstered furniture, properties of foam can be modi ed by additives, novel blowing agents and new biobased polymers or at least minimised within prescribed limits [16, 17]

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