| Title: | Predicting the emission rate of volatile organic compounds from vinyl flooring |
| Author(s): | Cox SS; Little JC; Hodgson AT; |
| Address: | "Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg 24061, USA" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0013-936X (Print) 0013-936X (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "A model for predicting the rate at which a volatile organic compound (VOC) is emitted from a diffusion-controlled material is validated for three contaminants (n-pentadecane, n-tetradecane, and phenol) found in vinyl flooring (VF). Model parameters are the initial VOC concentration in the material phase (C0), the material/air partition coefficient (K), and the material-phase diffusion coefficient (D). The model was verified by comparing predicted gas-phase concentrations to data obtained during small-scale chamber tests and by comparing predicted material-phase concentrations to those measured at the conclusion of the chamber tests. Chamber tests were conducted with the VF placed top-side-up and bottom-side-up. With the exception of phenol and within the limits of experimental precision, the mass of VOCs recovered in the gas-phase balances the mass emitted from the material phase. The model parameters (C0, K, and D) were measured using procedures completely independent of the chamber test. Gas- and material-phase predictions compare well to the bottom-side-up chamber data. The lower emission rates for the top-side-up orientation may be explained by the presence of a low-permeability surface layer. The sink effect of the stainless steel chamber surface was shown to be negligible" |
| Keywords: | "Air Pollution, Indoor/*analysis Alkanes/analysis/chemistry *Floors and Floorcoverings Forecasting Organic Chemicals Phenol/analysis/chemistry Vinyl Compounds/*chemistry Volatilization;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineCox, Steven S Little, John C Hodgson, Alfred T eng Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 2002/03/07 Environ Sci Technol. 2002 Feb 15; 36(4):709-14. doi: 10.1021/es010802+" |
