Testing of products for VOC emissions helps manufacturers go green

Providing good indoor air quality (IAQ) for building occupants is an essential component of the green building movement. In addition to adequate ventilation, an effective and efficient way to achieve good IAQ is not to introduce sources of undesirable air contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As a manufacturer of furniture and building products used indoors, you have several opportunities to demonstrate that your company's goods contribute to the well-being of end users by being low or negligible sources of VOCs of concern.

BAA has the knowledge and experience to help manufacturers navigate the maze of sometimes competing requirements presented by the various specification programs that incorporate IAQ criteria. Since we participate in technical committees of organizations developing specifications and writing new test methodologies, we also are able to advise manufacturers so they can prepare for emerging IAQ issues.

BAA has a full range of environmental chamber facilities used for VOC emission testing. These facilities include a battery of small-scale (67-liter) chambers that are used for testing building products that can be represented by relatively small pieces. Two chambers the size of small rooms (6 cubic meters) are used for larger, more complex products such as components of office furniture systems and seating. For both types of products, we provide manufacturers with clear instructions regarding scheduling and the collection, handling, shipping and documentation of product samples so that valid test results are obtained.

The chambers are operated at standard, controlled conditions of ventilation rate, temperature and relative humidity in accordance with standard test methods and practices. Air samples for VOCs and aldehydes, such as formaldehyde, are collected from the chambers at specific time intervals. These are analyzed in our state-of-the-art laboratory by thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) . Chamber concentrations of VOCs of concern are determined from these results and then are used to calculate VOC emission rates and emission factors - i.e., the mass of a VOC emitted per unit area of product per hour.

A number of the available specification and certification programs have established criteria that evaluate a product based on its potential IAQ impact in a typical environment such as an office or a school classroom. This evaluation is accomplished using a steady-state mass balance model that computes a room air concentration based on the flow rate of fresh air into the space, the surface area or amount of the product in the space and the product's VOC emission factors. This predicted VOC concentration is then compared to the criteria to ascertain the acceptability of a product's potential impact.

All of the test information - the methods used, the chamber VOC concentrations, the VOC emission factors, the predicted VOC room air concentrations, and the comparison with the criteria - are included in BAA's test reports so the manufacturer has a clear understanding of the process and the results. These results are backed up by a well-designed quality program that includes industry round-robin participation, performance tests programs for analyses, certification of measurement devices, extensive replication of tests and analyses, and audits.

While IAQ admittedly is only one aspect of a product's environmental performance, the testing of products for determination of compliance with IAQ specifications as described here is certain to remain a key aspect of building green. BAA can help you be part of the movement.