Emission rates of substances from low-volatile-organic-compound paints

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) Vol. 16; no. 8; pp. 4543 - 4550
• Main Authors: Suzuki, N., Nakaoka, H., Hanazato, M., Nakayama, Y., Takaya, K., Mori, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-08-2019
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science and Engineering; Original Paper; Soil Science & Conservation; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Small chamber test; Sealer; Low-volatile-organic-compound paints; Indoor air quality
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-018-2093-0

Globally, sick building syndrome remains a considerable social issue. It is primarily caused by the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from construction materials. Among these, paints and sealers are used over wide swaths of are a and their use causes chemical substances to be released in a room. To prevent sick building syndrome, it is necessary to clarify the cause of air quality changes due to the different types of paints and sealers available. Recently, low-VOC paints (containing 0.3–1.0% VOCs) have been used widely; however, the effects of reducing VOC levels have not yet been fully quantified. This study aims to clarify the chemical compositions by conducting an emission rate test of these low-VOC paints and sealers. We prepared six specimens and used them for chamber testing. Three types of paint with and without a sealer were tested. The minimum and maximum total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration was 96 and 4750 μgm
−2
 h
−1
, respectively. Differences in the VOC content of the paints and sealers could be confirmed. The main TVOC was Texanol
™
and glycerol ethers. The results demonstrate that using paints containing less than 0.3% VOCs can decrease the VOC emission rate considerably compared to paints classified as less than 1% VOCs. Moreover, because different kinds of sealers affected the results, it is possible to decrease VOC emission rate using a variety of sealers.