Exposure to fluoropolymers and VOCs during spray sealant product use

Abstract

Fluoropolymer based tile and fabric spray sealants were evaluated for the release of airborne fluoropolymer constituents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during typical product use scenarios in a simulated bathroom and a simulated recreational vehicle. Fluoride was quantified after oxygen bomb digestion of airborne spray collected from personal, area, and surface samples. VOCs were quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography/flame ionization spectrometry (GC/FID). Tile grout sealant contained approximately 1% acrylic fluoropolymer resin and 90% VOCs not including propellants. VOCs were short- and medium- chain methylated isoparaffinic hydrocarbons. When horizontally spraying a bathroom shower floor, grout spray sealant released a non-detectable amount of fluoride (<0.8 µg/m3) and 400 – 1400 mg/m3 total VOCs. When vertically spraying a shower wall, up to 2.0 µg/m3 of fluoride and from 1000 to 2300 mg/m3 total VOCs were detected. Fabric spray sealant contained 1% acrylic fluoropolymer resin and approximately 90% VOCs including perchloroethylene (PERC). Fabric spray released from 0.5 to 2.3 µg/m3 fluoride inside a recreational vehicle in the absence of crosswinds and less than 0.5 µg/m3 fluoride in the presence of a 10 mph crosswind. VOC release measured 240 - 938 mg/m3 without crosswinds and 161 - 522 mg/m3 with crosswinds. These studies show that fluoropolymer constituents from fluorinated spray sealants were near non-detectable levels in the breathing zone in nearly all samples while VOCs were measured at elevated levels (>400 mg/m3). The toxicological consequences of elevated VOCs during sealant spraying and the effects of certain fluoropolymer constituents are discussed.