Volatile organic compounds and odor emissions from veneered particleboards coated with water-based lacquer detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry

Abstract

To reduce the problem of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odor emissions from veneered particleboards coated with lacquer, this study focused on identifying odorant compounds and exploring the potential influence of environmental factors on VOCs and odor emissions. Veneered particleboards coated with water-based lacquer were studied via gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy/olfactometry, and, in total, 10 different odor types were identified, which were concentrated in 15 to 23 min. The predominant odor impressions were fragrant, leather, and soybean paste, and the main odorant compounds identified were aromatics and alcohols. The total VOCs (TVOC) concentration and total odor intensity increased as the temperature increased, but decreased as the ratio of relative humidity and the air exchange rate to the loading factor increased. The ratio of the air exchange rate to the loading factor had a greater impact on the VOCs released from the veneered particleboard than did either temperature or relative humidity, and, therefore, this ratio should be the primary factor considered during storage. The proportion of the odorant concentration to the TVOC concentration decreased with an increase in temperature and relative humidity, whereas the ratio of the air exchange rate to the loading factor had little effect. To accelerate the release of VOCs and odors from veneered particleboard coated with water-based lacquer before its indoor use and, thus, to reduce negative effects on humans, the following conditions were found to be optimal: 40 °C, 40% RH, and 1.0 m3 h−1 m−2 (ratio of air exchange rate to loading factor).