Small-Chamber and Research-House Testing of Tile Adhesive Emissions

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare measured indoor air concentrations of toluene, from an adhesive used in installing floor tiles, with concentrations estimated from a multi-chamber indoor air quality model. Measurements of toluene emissions from floor adhesive with and without tiles covering the adhesive were made using a small chamber. Emission data from the chamber measurements were used as input to the indoor air quality model. The modeling results were compared with concentrations of toluene measured in a research house when adhesive was applied in a bedroom of the house. Three zones of the house were defined for modeling purposes-the bedroom in which the adhesive was applied, the remainder of the upstairs area, and the downstairs area. Zone-specific volumes and infiltration/exfiltration and interzonal airflows measured during and after adhesive application were also used as model inputs. Relatively good correspondence between measured and model concentrations was obtained, particularly in the bedroom where the adhesive was applied. Modeled concentrations were fairly sensitive to the input matrix of airflow rates.