Organic Compound Emissions Research Articles

Study of miniemulsion formulation containing 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate for its application in low-emitting coating products

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are non-volatile organic salts, and few of them with low melting point may replace the conventional coalescing agents in waterborne coatings, thus preventing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission, caused by coalescing agents. The formation of waterborne coating containing RTILs can be achieved by the encapsulation of RTILs inside latexes via miniemulsion polymerization. Achieving a stable miniemulsion is a crucial step for further polymerization. In this study, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (C8mimPF6) was chosen, and various factors which might affect droplet size and its stability, including surfactant type, surfactant concentration, and C8mimPF6 concentration, were investigated. It was found that the presence of a small amount of C8mimPF6 coupled with the surfactant would offer marked effects on the droplet size reduction and droplet stability. Such effect may reach its maximum from 1 to 5 wt% C8mimPF6. Above the critical concentration, adding more C8mimPF6 to the oil phase may cause a larger initial droplet size as well as weaken the droplet stability. Such observations were consistent with the zeta potential measurements for miniemulsions prepared under similar conditions.

Effect of some treatments on emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from chips used in pellets making processes

Emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from wood during processing to pellets – significance of wood extractives. Cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin are the main components of the cell wall in wood. Moreover, wood contains different amounts of extractives, depending on the wood species. Extractives in softwoods play an important role during processing of wood to different wood products. This work studies the influence of storage on the change of extractives as well as on the emission of monoterpenes (primary emission) and aliphatic aldehydes, as degradation products of fats and fatty acids (secondary emission). In case of pine wood storage for 2 days at 80°C proved to be more efficient in the reduction of emissions of terpenes and aldehydes than 4 weeks at 40°C. Quantitative differences between pine (Pinus sylvestris) and spruce (Picea abies) wood chips in the emission were evaluated and discussed. Pinewood emits about 10 times higher amounts of terpenes and aldehydes than spruce wood. The results indicate that the intense of change in primary and secondary emissions due to storage depends on the wood species as well as on the boundary conditions under which storage is carried out. In general, storage at high temperature (80°C) is much more effective than at low temperature (40°C). The results also reveal that removal of wood extractives from pine wood by extraction with ethanol-cyclohexane or treatment with sodium hydroxide decreases the emission of primary and secondary volatile organic compounds drastically. Nevertheless, after such treatments minute amounts of volatile organic compounds are still detectable.

Forest canopy interactions with nucleation mode particles

Abstract. Ultrafine particle size distributions through a deciduous forest canopy indicate that nucleation mode particle concentrations decline with depth into the canopy, such that number concentrations at the bottom of the canopy are an average of 16% lower than those at the top. However, growth rates of nucleation mode particles (diameters 6–30 nm) are invariant with height within the canopy, which implies that the semi-volatile gases contributing to their growth are comparatively well-mixed through the canopy. Growth rates of nucleation mode particles during a meteorological drought year (2012) were substantially lower than during a meteorologically normal year with high soil water potential (2013). This may reflect suppression of actual biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions by drought and thus a reduction in the production of condensable products during the drought-affected vegetation season. This hypothesis is supported by evidence that growth rates during the normal year exhibit a positive correlation with emissions of BVOC modeled on observed forest composition, leaf area index, temperature and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), but particle growth rates during the drought-affected vegetation season are not correlated with modeled BVOC emissions. These data thus provide indirect evidence that drought stress in forests may reduce BVOC emissions and limit growth of nucleation mode particles to climate-relevant sizes.

VLIV LEPENÍ NA MNOŽSTVÍ EMISÍ VOC

The study deals with the influence of urea-formaldehyde glue and veneered bolstering on technological operation veneering on quantity of emission VOCs (volatile organic compounds).The so-called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are among the largest pollution sources of both the internal and external environments.VOC is defined as emission of any organic compound or a mixture thereof, with the exception of methane, whereby the compound exerts the pressure of 0.01 kPa or more at the temperature of 20 °C (293.15 K) and reaches the corresponding volatility under the specific conditions of its use and can undergo photochemical reactions with nitrogen oxides when exposed to solar radiation.The effects of VOC upon environment can be described by equation:VOC + NOx + UV radiation + heat = tropospheric ozone (O3).In this work there were tested background working environment in various parts of multi-storeyed press, next was judged emissive charge of veneered device and used glue. We used surface material such as chipboard. We used urea-formaldehyde glue KRONOCOL U300 on technological operation veneering.The VOC emissions from the wooden surfaces with or without finishing were tested in the Equipment for VOC Measuring with a small-space chamber. This equipment was installed in and made available by the Institute of Furniture, Design and Habitation. The small-space chamber is suitable for testing small parts of wood products. The device equipped with small-chamber satisfies all conditions mandated in the standard ENV 13 419 DIN -V-ENV 13 419 ”Determination of the emissions of Volatile organic compounds”.The VOC emissions were collected in columns with sorbent Tenax TA. We analyzed the columns with the VOC emissions by: the gas chromatography in conjunction with mass spectrometer and Direct Thermal Desorption.

Numerical modeling of volatile organic compound emissions from ozone reactions with human-worn clothing in an aircraft cabin

Volatile organic compounds are indoor air pollutants with many adverse health effects for humans. Ozone reactions with human surfaces (skin, hair, and clothing) are an important source of volatile organic compounds in the indoor air, especially in aircraft cabins because of their typically high ozone concentrations and occupant densities. Therefore, it is important to study the ozone-initiated volatile organic compound emissions from ozone reactions with passengers in an aircraft cabin and assess their resulting exposure. This investigation developed empirical models for computing the emissions of several major volatile organic compounds, including acetone, 4-oxopentanal, nonanal, and decanal, from ozone reactions with human-worn clothing. The empirical models were used to compute the contributions of human surfaces to these volatile organic compounds in an aircraft cabin mockup under different environmental conditions. The computed results were then compared with the corresponding experimental data obtained in the mockup. The models can provide rough estimates of ozone-initiated volatile organic compound concentrations. The empirical models were integrated into a computational fluid dynamics analysis, and the results showed that the levels of ozone-initiated volatile organic compounds were significantly enhanced in the breathing zones of the passengers. Therefore, to accurately assess passenger exposure to volatile organic compounds, their concentrations in the breathing zones should be used.

Emission of odorous volatile organic compounds from a municipal manure treatment plant and their removal using a biotrickling filter

Odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from municipal manure treatment facilities are considered as a major nuisance issue for operators and nearby residents. In this study, up to 71 odorous VOCs were detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry at the manure treatment plant. These compounds can be classified into five different categories, including alkanes, olefins, aromatics, volatile organosulphur compounds and terpenes. Toluene, dimethyl disulphide, dimethyl sulphide, xylene and ethylbenzene were the five most abundant pollutants. A pilot-scale biotrickling filter (BTF) was employed to treat the complex odorous gases. Correlation analysis showed that the removal efficiency (RE) of the BTF was related with the molecular weight and chemical structure of contaminants. Higher than 85% of REs could be reached for aromatic, terpenes and most alkanes compounds after 180 days of operation. Comparatively, most olefins and partial alkanes compounds with a molecular weight lower than 70 were not removed easily. The REs of these compounds ranged from 0% to 94%, and the average removal efficiency (RE) was only about 33.3%.

Optimization of Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction and Static Headspace Sampling of Low-Boiling Volatiles Emitted from Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.)

Emission of low-boiling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is one of the first signs of a cascade of degradation processes taking place in leafy green vegetables after harvest. VOCs from fresh produce can be difficult to measure due to their high volatility, low stability, and variable concentrations. VOCs emitted from packaged wild rocket were selected for optimization of two sampling techniques: solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and static headspace (SHS) sampling. The selected compounds were acetaldehyde, dimethyl sulfide, nitromethane, 3-methylfuran, ethyl acetate, dimethyl disulfide, and hexanal. These compounds having different chemical structures, molecular weights, and boiling points were representative for the VOC profile of packaged wild rocket. The carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS) fiber showed the highest extraction efficiency. For SHS analysis, injection of 750 μL of gas sample at 10 μL s−1 injection speed and 1:1 split ratio was optimal. High losses of dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and nitromethane (21–62 %) were observed during 20 h postsampling storage of the CAR/PDMS fiber prior to desorption. SHS sampling of VOCs and storage of vials for 2.75 h prior to GC-MS analysis also led to losses of volatiles. For analysis of VOCs naturally emitted from packaged wild rocket, the SPME and SHS sampling methods were complementary as they covered a broad concentration range from the lower parts per trillion (SPME) to the higher parts per million (SHS) ranges.

Completing the Bridge to Nowhere: Prioritizing Oil and Gas Emissions Regulations in Western States

Completing the Bridge to Nowhere: Prioritizing Oil and Gas Emissions Regulations in Western States

Measuring VOC emissions from wood-based building products under real room conditions in idealised model rooms

Two model rooms were constructed out of OSB and CLT and applied as a large scale test method for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from wood based building products over a period of 23 weeks. The measured VOC emissions show terpene and aldehyde emissions in both model rooms. Emissions from all identified substances declined over time to a low value. In the CLT model room terpene emissions exceeded aldehyde emissions. Terpenes declined from 65 to 11 μg m−3 (83%), whereas aldehydes declined from 28 to 5 μg m−3 (82%). In the OSB model room aldehyde emissions were higher and declined from 247 to 51 μg m−3 (79%). Terpene emissions decreased from 59 to 23 μg m−3 (61%).

A tethered-balloon PTRMS sampling approach for surveying of landscape-scale biogenic VOC fluxes

Abstract. Landscape-scale fluxes of biogenic gases were surveyed by deploying a 100 m Teflon tube attached to a tethered balloon as a sampling inlet for a fast-response proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer (PTRMS). Along with meteorological instruments deployed on the tethered balloon and a 3 m tripod and outputs from a regional weather model, these observations were used to estimate landscape-scale biogenic volatile organic compound fluxes with two micrometeorological techniques: mixed layer variance and surface layer gradients. This highly mobile sampling system was deployed at four field sites near Barcelona to estimate landscape-scale biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emission factors in a relatively short period (3 weeks). The two micrometeorological techniques were compared with emissions predicted with a biogenic emission model using site-specific emission factors and land-cover characteristics for all four sites. The methods agreed within the uncertainty of the techniques in most cases, even though the locations had considerable heterogeneity in species distribution and complex terrain. Considering the wide range in reported BVOC emission factors for individual vegetation species (more than an order of magnitude), this temporally short and inexpensive flux estimation technique may be useful for constraining BVOC emission factors used as model inputs.

Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Biomass Burning Sources and their Ozone Formation Potential over India

Thousands of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the Earth's atmosphere exist which play an important role in various photochemical processes. However, the global model simulations of tropospheric chemistry deal with limited data of speciated VOCs. In the present study, we have used the Global Fire Emissions Database inventory of VOCs emitted from biomass burning in India during the period from 1997 to 2009. We have also analysed data of some VOCs measured in the upper troposphere over India for the year 2008. In this study, the major species analysed are C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 4 O, C 2 H 6 , C 2 H 6 S, C 3 H 6 , C 3 H 6 S, C 3 H 8 , C 5 H 8 , CH 3 OH, higher alkanes, higher alkenes, terpenes and toluene lumps. The biomass burning emissions of VOCs show large inter-annual variation. For example, the annual emission estimates of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and CH3OH varied in the range 100-470 and 46-211 Gg yr -1 respectively. The major biomass sources were broadly categorized as deforestation, fuel-wood, forest and agricultural residues. The agricultural residue burning is the most dominant among the several biomass burning sources contributing to the emissions of CH 3 OH (59%), isoprene (80%) and toluene (72%). On the other hand, the major sources for NMHCs emission were agricultural residues and deforestation during all the years. The fire count data detected using the satellite-based Along Track Scanning Radiometer have been used to directly refer to the seasonal and inter-annual variations of biomass burning activities. We have estimated the propylene-equivalent concentrations of different light NMHCs measured in the upper troposphere over India. Role of stratospheric intrusion in the distribution of NMHCs has been analysed using the potential vorticity data.

Research on Environmentally Friendly Water-Based Covering Ink and its Application in Scratch-Type Invoice Printing

With the development of printing technology, greater emphasis has been laid on environmentally friendly materials. Due to its printability and environmental friendliness, Water-based flexo ink is gradually gaining popularity at home and abroad, and has been widely applied in the field of printing. Different from other kinds of bills, scratch-type invoices have an additional scratch area on the surface, which highly covering performance is required for the ink applied. This paper emphatically analyzes and discusses: (a) flexo water-based covering ink and its application in scratch-type invoice covering region printing; (b) how to explore and evaluate new developed green inks. Compared with traditional inks, the water-based flexo ink is free of emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC), and its popularization might have significant meanings for the environment protection and sustainable development.

Review of Emissions from Oil Fires

The concern over emissions often dominates concerns regarding in-situ burning of oil spills. This paper reviews the results of emission measurement from both test fires and full-scale fires. More than 50 meso-scale burns of crude and diesel were conducted to study various aspects of diesel and crude oil burning in-situ. Extensive sampling and monitoring of these burns were conducted at downwind stations, and in the smoke plume. Later, the burning characteristics of heavy oils and emulsified heavy oils were studied. More than 15 meso-scale burns of these heavy oils were conducted. Measurements of the volatile components and particulates were made. Finally, some measurements were made on the in-situ burns carried out during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill. In summary, these measurements found that PAHs were found to be lower in the soot than in the starting oil, although somewhat higher concentrations of the larger molecular PAHs were found in the soot and residue. Particulates in the air were measured by several methods and were only found to be greater than recommended exposure levels at ground level if an inversion was present . Combustion gases including carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide did not reach exposure level maximums. Volatile organic compound (VOCs) emissions were found to be extensive from fires, but the levels were lower than an evaporating crude oil spill. Carbonyls, including aldehydes and ketones, were found to be higher from diesel burns than from crude oil burns. Measurement of the highly toxic compounds, dioxins and dibenzofurans, were made during the test fires. None were found. Similar results were found for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon burns. Water under the burns was analysed in the case of some of the test fires; no compounds of concern could be found at the detection levels of the methods. The burn residue was analysed for the same compounds as the air particulate samples. The concentrations of PAHs were lower in the residue than in the original oil, although the concentrations of some higher molecular weight species increased slightly. Furthermore, in all burns it was found that emissions of any type, did not exceed that of health concerns at distances greater than about 1 km, if the smoke plume did not impact the ground.

Regional climatic effects according to different estimations of biogenic volatile organic compounds during the asian summer monsoon

A series of 60-year numerical experiments starting from 1851 was conducted using a global climate model coupled with an aerosol-cloud-radiation model to investigate the response of the Asian summer monsoon to variations in the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) flux induced by two different estimations of biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions. One estimation was obtained from a pre-existing archive and the other was generated by a next-generation model (the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature, MEGAN). The use of MEGAN resulted in an overall increase of the SOA production through a higher rate of gasto-particle conversion of BVOCs. Consequently, the atmospheric loading of organic carbon (OC) increased due to the contribution of SOA to OC aerosol. The increase of atmospheric OC aerosols was prominent in particular in the Indian subcontinent and Indochina Peninsula (IP) during the pre- and early-monsoon periods because the terrestrial biosphere is the major source of BVOC emissions and the atmospheric aerosol concentration diminishes rapidly with the arrival of monsoon rainfall. As the number of atmospheric OC particles increased, the number concentrations of cloud droplets increased, but their size decreased. These changes represent a combination of aerosol-cloud interactions that were favorable to rainfall suppression. However, the modeled precipitation was slightly enhanced in May over the oceans that surround the Indian subcontinent and IP. Further analysis revealed that a compensating updraft in the surrounding oceans was induced by the thermally-driven downdraft in the IP, which was a result of surface cooling associated with direct OC aerosol radiative forcing, and was able to surpass the aerosolcloud interactions. The co-existence of oceanic ascending motion with the maximum convective available potential energy was also found to be crucial for rainfall formation. Although the model produced statistically significant rainfall changes with locally organized patterns, the suggested pathways should be considered guardedly because in the simulation results, 1) the BVOC-induced aerosol direct effect was marginal; 2) cloud-aerosol interactions were modeldependent; and 3) Asian summer monsoons were biased to a nonnegligible extent.

Diffusion-controlled toluene reference material for VOC emissions testing: International interlaboratory study

The measurement of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from building products and materials by manufacturers and testing laboratories, and the use of the test results for labeling programs, continue to expand. One issue that hinders wide acceptance for chamber product testing is the lack of a reference material to validate test chamber performance. To meet this need, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Virginia Tech (VT) have developed a prototype reference material that emits a single VOC similar to the emissions of a diffusion-controlled building product source with a dynamic emissions profile. The prototype material has undergone extensive testing at NIST and a pilot interlaboratory study (ILS) with four laboratories. The next development step is an evaluation of the prototype source in multiple-sized chambers of 14 laboratories in seven countries. Each laboratory was provided duplicate specimens and a test protocol. Study results identified significant issues related to the need to store the source at a subzero Celsius temperature until tested and possible inconsistencies in large chambers. For laboratories using a small chamber and meeting all the test method criteria, the results were very encouraging with relative standard deviations ranging from 5% to 10% across the laboratories.Implications: Currently, the chamber performance of laboratories conducting product VOC emissions testing is assessed through interlaboratory studies (ILS) using a source with an unknown emission rate. As a result, laboratory proficiency can only be based on the mean and standard deviation of emission rates measured by the participating ILS laboratories. A reference material with a known emission rate has the potential to provide an independent assessment of laboratory performance as well as improve the quality of interlaboratory studies. Several international laboratories with different chamber testing systems demonstrated the ability to measure the emission rate of such a reference material within an acceptable measurement uncertainty.

Rendering plant emissions of volatile organic compounds during sterilization and cooking processes

The rendering process emits odorous volatile compounds in the atmosphere; if these volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not handled properly they can cause a serious environmental problem. During this process not all emitted compounds are odorous and hazardous but some of them have been found associated with health problems. Samples were collected in the plastic bags from the Arnout rendering plant. In this study, VOCs emission from two different processes (cooking and sterilization) was compared. For the analysis of various emitted compounds, gas chromatograph and mass spectrophotometer were used. A sterilization process was added in the rendering plant to inactivate the prion protein from meat bone meal prepared during the rendering process. The identification of mass spectrum was performed by using a mass spectral database system. The most odorous classes of compounds identified were aliphatic hydrocarbons (HCs) (29.24%), furans (28.74%), aromatic HCs (18.32%), most important sulphur-containing compounds (12.15%), aldehyde (10.91%) and ketones (0.60%). Emissions released during cooking and sterilization were 32.73×102 and 36.85×102 mg m−3, respectively. In this study, it was observed that after the addition of the sterilization process VOCs’ emissions were increased. A total of 87 mg m−3 dimethyl disulphide (DMS) was detected only during the cooking process, whereas dimethly trisulphide (DMTS) was detected in both cooking (300 mg m−3) and sterilization (301 mg m−3) processes. About 11 mg m−3 of DMS was detected during the cooking process, which was a small concentration compared with 299 mg m−3 found during the sterilization process. At high temperature and pressure, DMTS and DMS were released more than any other sulphur-containing compounds. A condenser was applied to control the combined emission and it was successful in the reduction of VOCs to 22.83×102 mg m−3 (67% reduction).

Particulate metals and organic compounds from electronic and tobacco-containing cigarettes: comparison of emission rates and secondhand exposure.

In recent years, electronic cigarettes have gained increasing popularity as alternatives to normal (tobacco-containing) cigarettes. In the present study, particles generated by e-cigarettes and normal cigarettes have been analyzed and the degree of exposure to different chemical agents and their emission rates were quantified. Despite the 10-fold decrease in the total exposure to particulate elements in e-cigarettes compared to normal cigarettes, specific metals (e.g. Ni and Ag) still displayed a higher emission rate from e-cigarettes. Further analysis indicated that the contribution of e-liquid to the emission of these metals is rather minimal, implying that they likely originate from other components of the e-cigarette device or other indoor sources. Organic species had lower emission rates during e-cigarette consumption compared to normal cigarettes. Of particular note was the non-detectable emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from e-cigarettes, while substantial emission of these species was observed from normal cigarettes. Overall, with the exception of Ni, Zn, and Ag, the consumption of e-cigarettes resulted in a remarkable decrease in secondhand exposure to all metals and organic compounds. Implementing quality control protocols on the manufacture of e-cigarettes would further minimize the emission of metals from these devices and improve their safety and associated health effects.

Physiological responses to drought stress and the emission of induced volatile organic compounds in Rosmarinus officinalis

Aims Drought is one of the numerous environmental factors which affect the growth and development of plants, and it becomes more severe in many regions of the world due to climate change. To examine the mechanisms of responses of the plant Rosemarinus offcinalis to drought stress, we measured the physiological and biochemical changes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission of 2-year-old seedlings of this species under conditions of light drought (LD), intermediate drought (MD) and severe drought (SD). Methods The VOCs emission was measured using the dynamic headspace air-circulation method, and the composition and content of VOCs were analyzed using the thermal desorption system/gas chromatography/mass spectrometer technique (TDS-GC-MS). We measured ion leakage of cell membranes and the content of soluble sugar, soluble protein and malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of lipoxygenase and protective enzymes of R. offcinalis under the different drought treatments. Important findings The content of osmotic adjustment materials in R. offcinalis leaves was significantly influenced by drought stress. The content of soluble sugar was increased by 51.5% and 87.4% (p 0.01) under MD and SD stresses after 12 days, respectively. The content of soluble protein was increased by 82% and 140% (p 0.01), respectively. There were differences among the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) in response to drought stress, which was a coordination reaction of those three enzymes to the stress. With prolonged drought stress, the MDA content (p 0.01) and cell injury rate (p 0.05) were increased significantly. Terpenoids were the main components of R. offcinalis VOCs and their relative content was morethan 46% of the total VOCs. Compared with the control, it was increased by 14.4%, 17.0% and 23.7%, respectively, under LD, MD and SD stresses, respectively. Meanwhile, green leaf volatiles (GLVs) and aldehydes were markedly induced by drought stress, and (E)-2-hexenal, leaf alcohol, sorbaldehyde and n-decanal were newly found under the drought stress. The results indicated that R. offcinalis could enhance its drought-resistant ability by adjusting activities of protective enzymes, improving contents of osmotic adjustment materials and releasing VOCs.

Mass synthesis of high performance (La0.75Sr0.25)0.95MnO3±δ nano-powder prepared via a low-carbon chemical solution method

A novel low-carbon chemical solution method is established and successfully scaled up to prepare (La0.75Sr0.25)0.95MnO3±δ(LSM) nano-powders, in which acetate and acrylic acid have been used as raw materials. Distinguish from the traditional chemical solution methods, nitrate and amino compound are non-used in this method and without causing any fire hazard or explosion condition which are usually found in most of the solution synthesis reactions. The organic compound emission is reduced to a quarter of that in the citric acid–nitrate method. This optimization is attributed to the low application amount and high effect of acrylic acid by means of the co-operation of ethylenic linkage and carboxyl group. As-prepared powders are high purity, single phase, slight aggregation with grain size less than 100 nm. The conductivity of the sintered LSM sample is measured about 220 S cm−1 in air at 700–1000 °C. The polarization resistance of LSM–YSZ cathode is less than 0.1 Ω cm2 at 800 °C. Anode supported Cells with configuration of Ni + YSZ/YSZ/LSM + YSZ exhibit the power density of 0.54 W cm−2 at 800 °C and 0.7 V. These results indicate that the novel acetate–acrylic method is very suitable for mass synthesis of high performance LSM powders.

Determination of the emissions of volatile organic compounds from oriented strand boards and evaluation by the German AgBB scheme

There has been an increasing use of oriented strand boards (OSBs) for the construction of floors, ceilings and walls of buildings. In Germany and other European countries, OSBs are mainly produced from pine wood ( Pinus sylvestris). In response to complaints about the odour and irritation of mucous membranes in connection with the use of OSBs, samples of OSBs were bought from do-it-yourself stores to test their volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by using emission test chambers. The boards emitted predominantly monoterpenes, aldehydes, acids and acetone. Aldehydes are generated during the production process by the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid. Pine wood, compared with other wood species, contains more unsaturated fatty acids. Of the six acquired OSBs, four boards from three manufacturers would not meet the requirements of the German AgBB (Ausschuss zur gesundheitlichen Bewertung von Bauprodukten, Committee for Health Evaluation of Building Products), mainly because of the emissions of unsaturated aldehydes. These compounds have low LCI values (lowest concentration of interest) and are therefore problematic substances based on a health-related evaluation of building products according to the AgBB scheme.