Publications

@article{Halios2022,

title = {Chemicals in European residences – Part I: A review of emissions, concentrations and health effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)},

author = {Christos H. Halios and Charlotte Landeg-Cox and Scott D. Lowther and Alice Middleton and Tim Marczylo and Sani Dimitroulopoulou},

doi = {10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2022.156201},

issn = {0048-9697},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Science of The Total Environment},

volume = {839},

pages = {156201},

publisher = {Elsevier},

abstract = {One of the more important classes of potentially toxic indoor air chemicals are the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). However, due to a limited understanding of the relationships between indoor concentrations of individual VOCs and health outcomes, there are currently no universal health-based guideline values for VOCs within Europe including the UK. In this study, a systematic search was conducted designed to capture evidence on concentrations, emissions from indoor sources, and health effects for VOCs measured in European residences. We identified 65 individual VOCs, and the most commonly measured were aromatic hydrocarbons (14 chemicals), alkane hydrocarbons (9), aldehydes (8), aliphatic hydrocarbons (5), terpenes (6), chlorinated hydrocarbons (4), glycol and glycol ethers (3) and esters (2). The pathway of interest was inhalation and 8 individual aromatic hydrocarbons, 7 alkanes and 6 aldehydes were associated with respiratory health effects. Members of the chlorinated hydrocarbon family were associated with cardiovascular neurological and carcinogenic health effects and some were irritants as were esters and terpenes. Eight individual aromatic hydrocarbons, 7 alkanes and 6 aldehydes identified in European residences were associated with respiratory health effects. Of the 65 individual VOCs, 52 were from sources associated with building and construction materials (e.g. brick, wood products, adhesives and materials for flooring installation etc.), 41 were linked with consumer products (passive, electric and combustible air fresheners, hair sprays, deodorants) and 9 VOCs were associated with space heating, which may reflect the relatively small number of studies discussing emissions from this category of sources. A clear decrease in concentrations of formaldehyde was observed over the last few years, whilst acetone was found to be one of the most abundant but underreported species. A new approach based on the operational indoor air quality surveillance will both reveal trends in known VOCs and identify new compounds.},

keywords = {Emissions, European residences, Health effects, indoor, VOCs},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{RIZK2016200,

title = {Fast sorption measurements of volatile organic compounds on building materials: Part 1 – Methodology developed for field applications},

author = {M Rizk and M Verriele and S Dusanter and C Schoemaecker and Le S calve and N Locoge},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132315302158},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.12.017},

issn = {0360-1323},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-01-01},

journal = {Building and Environment},

volume = {99},

pages = {200 - 209},

abstract = {Several physicochemical processes occurring within buildings are key drivers of indoor concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs. Many models and experimental studies have been proposed to predict VOCs concentration indoors given these processes. However, there is a lack of representative data in literature to present gas–surface interaction in order to validate mathematical models. This work is divided in two parts and aims to develop and validate a method to perform fast measurements of VOC sorption parameters on the field by coupling a Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC) to a Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS). In the part 1 of the work, sorption coefficients of aromatic compounds on a gypsum board and vinyl flooring were investigated at ppb levels to test and evaluate the proposed methodology. Sorption coefficients in the range of 0.03–1.88 m h−1 for ka and 2.04–17.32 h−1 for kd were successfully measured within a (0.5–8 h) for the two materials. Robustness tests highlight that the determination of sorption coefficients does not depend on operating conditions. While sorption coefficients for the gypsum board were measured with a PTR-MS time resolution of 20 s, the vinyl flooring material required measurements at a higher time resolution of 2 s due to its lower sorption properties. Limits of applicability assessed for this method indicate that sets of sorption parameters (ka, kd) of (0.01 m h−1; 0.01 h−1) and (0.09 m h−1; 0.09 h−1) can be measured with an accuracy better than 10% at time resolutions of 2 and 20 s respectively.},

keywords = {Building materials, Field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC), Proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometer (PTR-MS), Sorption, VOCs},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{AN201144,

title = {Formaldehyde and TVOC emission behavior of laminate flooring by structure of laminate flooring and heating condition},

author = {Jae-Yoon An and Sumin Kim and Hyun-Joong Kim},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389410011027},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.08.086},

issn = {0304-3894},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Hazardous Materials},

volume = {187},

number = {1},

pages = {44 - 51},

abstract = {Formaldehyde was measured with a desiccator, a 20L chamber and the FLEC method. The formaldehyde emission rate from laminate was the highest at 32°C using the desiccator, which then decreased with time. The formaldehyde emission using the 20L small chamber and FLEC showed a similar tendency. There was a strong correlation between the formaldehyde and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) with both types of floorings using the two different methods. The formaldehyde emission rate and TVOC results were higher when tested using the FLEC method than with the 20L small chamber method. The emission rate was affected by the joint edge length in laminate flooring. Toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were the main VOCs emitted from laminate flooring, and there were more unidentified VOCs emitted than identified VOCs. The samples heated with a floor heating system emitted more formaldehyde than those heated using an air circulation system due to the temperature difference between the bottom panel and flooring. The TVOC emission level of the samples was higher when an air circulation system was used than when a floor heating system was used due to the high ventilation rate.},

keywords = {Air circulation system, Floor heating system, Formaldehyde, Laminate flooring, VOCs},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{KIM201014,

title = {Control of formaldehyde and TVOC emission from wood-based flooring composites at various manufacturing processes by surface finishing},

author = {Sumin Kim},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389409005159},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.03.113},

issn = {0304-3894},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Hazardous Materials},

volume = {176},

number = {1},

pages = {14 - 19},

abstract = {This paper assesses the reproducibility of testing formaldehyde and TVOC emission behavior from wood flooring composites bonded by urea–formaldehyde resin at various manufacturing steps for surface finishing materials. The surface adhesion step of laminate flooring for this research was divided into two steps; HDF only and HDF with LPMs. In the case of engineered flooring, the manufacturing steps were divided into three steps; plywood only, fancy veneer bonded on plywood and UV coated on fancy veneer with plywood. Formaldehyde and VOCs emission decreased at the process of final surface finishing materials; LPMs were applied on the surface of HDF for laminate flooring. Although emissions increased when fancy veneer was bonded onto plywood in the case of engineered flooring, emission was dramatically reduced up to similar level with plywood only when final surface finishing; UV-curable coating was applied on fancy veneer. This study suggests that formaldehyde and VOCs emission from floorings can be controlled at manufacturing steps for surface finishing.},

keywords = {Engineered flooring, FLEC, Formaldehyde, Laminate flooring, VOCs},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{AN20101826,

title = {Emission behavior of formaldehyde and TVOC from engineered flooring in under heating and air circulation systems},

author = {Jae-Yoon An and Sumin Kim and Hyun-Joong Kim and Janghoo Seo},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132310000612},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.02.012},

issn = {0360-1323},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-01-01},

journal = {Building and Environment},

volume = {45},

number = {8},

pages = {1826 - 1833},

abstract = {Formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the adhesive, flooring, and flooring with adhesive were measured using a desiccator, a 20-L chamber and a field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC). Flooring with an adhesive is similar to that used in construction was applied to a floor heating system and an air circulation system, and the surface temperature of the flooring was set to 20 °C, 26 °C and 32 °C. The rate of formaldehyde emission from the flooring was the highest at 32 °C using a desiccator and decreased with time. The formaldehyde and aldehyde emissions from the samples using a 20-L chamber and FLEC showed a similar tendency. The VOCs emission trends with the 20-L chamber and FLEC were similar. The rate of formaldehyde and TVOC emission determined using FLEC was higher than that determined using the 20-L chamber method. The flooring emitted primarily benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, styrene, xylene, as well as some unknown VOCs. There was a strong correlation between formaldehyde and TVOC emission for the 20-L chamber and FLEC. Samples using a floor heating system showed higher formaldehyde emission than those using an air circulation system. The level of TVOC emission was higher from the samples using an air circulation system than those using the floor heating system.},

keywords = {Air circulation system, Engineered flooring, Floor heating system, Formaldehyde, VOCs},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{KIM20106562,

title = {Test methods and reduction of organic pollutant compound emissions from wood-based building and furniture materials},

author = {Sumin Kim and Yoon-Ki Choi and Kyung-Won Park and Jeong Tai Kim},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852410005365},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.03.059},

issn = {0960-8524},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-01-01},

journal = {Bioresource Technology},

volume = {101},

number = {16},

pages = {6562 - 6568},

abstract = {This paper reviews different methods for the analysis of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wood-based panel materials for furniture and building interiors and highlights research on reduction of emission from wood-based panels that can adversely affect indoor air quality. In Korea, standard test methods have been developed to determine formaldehyde and VOC emissions from building products, and the Ministry of Environment regulates the use of building materials with pollutant emissions. Desiccator and perforator methods are being used for formaldehyde and the chamber and field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC) methods for VOC and formaldehyde emissions. The VOC analyzer is a suitable pre-test method for application as a total VOC (TVOC) emission test and bake-out is a useful method to reduce TVOC and formaldehyde emissions from furniture materials in indoor environments.},

keywords = {Emission reduction, Environmental chamber test, Formaldehyde, VOCs, Wood-based panel},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ZHANG2004523,

title = {Modeling VOCs emissions in a room with a single-zone multi-component multi-layer technique},

author = {L Z Zhang and J L Niu},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132303002439},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2003.10.005},

issn = {0360-1323},

year  = {2004},

date = {2004-01-01},

journal = {Building and Environment},

volume = {39},

number = {5},

pages = {523 - 531},

abstract = {Building envelopes are usually comprised of several layers with different materials, which can significantly affect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations in indoor environments. These layers may act as source and sink alternatively depending on the different sorption and diffusion potentials. The model proposed here is a single zone one and it considers the different emission properties of building components, namely, the different sorption and diffusion characteristics of the side walls, the floor and the ceiling. In addition, each component comprises of several layers, which represents different construction materials. Two VOCs, ethyl acetate and n-octane, representing polar and nonpolar compounds respectively, are modeled to study the emission profiles in a room with several building materials. The effects of various construction materials, and the different convective mass transfer coefficients between room air and different building components, on the emission characteristics are investigated.},

keywords = {Emissions, Indoor air quality, Mass transfer, VOCs},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ZHANG20032415,

title = {Mass transfer of volatile organic compounds from painting material in a standard field and laboratory emission cell},

author = {L Z Zhang and J L Niu},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0017931003000127},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/S0017-9310(03)00012-7},

issn = {0017-9310},

year  = {2003},

date = {2003-01-01},

journal = {International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer},

volume = {46},

number = {13},

pages = {2415 - 2423},

abstract = {The field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC) is becoming a standard method of characterizing pollutant emissions from building materials. It is significant to use the emission profiles from FLEC to scale the emissions of building materials in real buildings. The dynamics of mass transfer in such an FLEC are the key to perform this task. In this study, the mass transfer mechanisms of the total volatile organic compounds from a wet painting in an FLEC are experimentally and numerically investigated. A three-dimensional mass transfer model, which takes into account the convective mass transfer between the material and the air, the diffusion in the paint film and in the substrate, is developed. The emissions from a water-based emulsion paint are quantified to assess the model. The concentration fields in the film and substrate are calculated to demonstrate the processes of internal volatile organic compounds diffusion.},

keywords = {Field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC), Indoor air quality, Mass transfer, VOCs},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ZHANG2003939,

title = {Effects of substrate parameters on the emissions of volatile organic compounds from wet coating materials},

author = {L Z Zhang and J L Niu},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132303000325},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-1323(03)00032-5},

issn = {0360-1323},

year  = {2003},

date = {2003-01-01},

journal = {Building and Environment},

volume = {38},

number = {7},

pages = {939 - 946},

abstract = {Solvent-based interior coating materials have long been recognized as a major source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the indoor environment. In the emission process, substrate acts as a secondary source. The sink effects are studied with a detailed mass transfer model considering convective mass transfer in air streams, the VOCs diffusions in painting film, and the sorption and diffusions of VOCs in substrate. The model is proposed and validated by the emission profiles of a water-based emulsion paint in a standard field and laboratory emission cell. The focus is on the role the substrate plays in the emission process. The effects of the substrate parameters, such as the substrate diffusivity and sorption characteristics, on the emission profiles are investigated. This is helpful in exposure control through both selecting healthy materials and proper ventilations.},

keywords = {FLEC (Field and laboratory emission cell), Indoor air quality, Mass transfer, VOCs},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}