| Title: | An indoor air quality evaluation in a residential retrofit project using spray polyurethane foam |
| Author(s): | Tian S; Ecoff S; Sebroski J; Miller J; Rickenbacker H; Bilec M; |
| Address: | "a Covestro LLC , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania. b Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania" |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15459624.2018.1428332 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1545-9632 (Electronic) 1545-9624 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Understanding of indoor air quality (IAQ) during and after spray polyurethane foam (SPF) application is essential to protect the health of both workers and building occupants. Previous efforts such as field monitoring, micro-chamber/spray booth emission studies, and fate/transport modeling have been conducted to understand the chemical exposure of SPF and guide risk mitigation strategies. However, each type of research has its limitation and can only reveal partial information on the relationship between SPF and IAQ. A comprehensive study is truly needed to integrate the experimental design and analytical testing methods in the field/chamber studies with the mathematical tools employed in the modeling studies. This study aims to bridge this gap and provide a more comprehensive understanding on the impact of SPF to IAQ. The field sampling plan of this research aims to evaluate the airborne concentrations of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, tris(1-chlor-2-propyl)phosphate (TCPP), trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (Solstice(TM)), and airborne particles. Modifications to existing MDI sampling and analytical methods were made so that level of quantification was improved. In addition, key fate and transport modeling input parameters such as air changes per hour and airborne particle size distribution were measured. More importantly, TCPP accumulation onto materials was evaluated, which is important to study the fate and transport of semi-volatile organic compounds. The IAQ results showed that after spray application was completed in the entire building, airborne concentrations decreased for all chemicals monitored. However, it is our recommendation that during SPF application, no one should return to the application site without proper personal protection equipment as long as there are active spray activities in the building. The comparison between this field study and a recent chamber study proved surface sorption and particle deposition is an important factor in determining the fate of airborne TCPP. The study also suggests the need for further evaluation by employing mathematical models, proving the data generated in this work as informative to industry and the broader scientific community" |
| Keywords: | "Air Pollution, Indoor/*analysis Aldehydes/analysis Chlorofluorocarbons/analysis Construction Industry Environmental Exposure/analysis Environmental Monitoring/methods Housing Isocyanates/analysis Occupational Exposure/*analysis Organophosphorus Compounds/;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineTian, Shen Ecoff, Scott Sebroski, John Miller, Jason Rickenbacker, Harold Bilec, Melissa eng England 2018/01/18 J Occup Environ Hyg. 2018 May; 15(5):363-375. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1428332" |
