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Developing Reference Materials for VOC, Formaldehyde and SVOC Emissions Testing

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dc.contributor.authorLiu, Zheen
dc.contributor.committeechairLittle, John C.en
dc.contributor.committeememberMarand, Evaen
dc.contributor.committeememberVikesland, Peter J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberMarr, Linsey C.en
dc.contributor.departmentCivil Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2017-04-06T15:42:13Zen
dc.date.adate2012-05-18en
dc.date.available2017-04-06T15:42:13Zen
dc.date.issued2012-04-24en
dc.date.rdate2016-10-07en
dc.date.sdate2012-04-30en
dc.description.abstractVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) constitute important classes of indoor contaminants. Emissions of VOCs and SVOCs from myriad building materials and consumer products cause high indoor concentrations with health risks that may be orders-of-magnitude greater than outdoors. The need to control VOC and SVOC emissions from interior materials and thereby reduce indoor concentrations is made more urgent by the prevailing drive for air-tight, energy efficient buildings. To develop low-emission products, emission rates are usually measured in emission chambers. However, there are three significant problems associated with chamber tests: (1) VOC emissions testing procedures of individual laboratories are frequently subject to error and uncertainty; (2) SVOC emissions testing in chambers is extremely difficult and time-consuming, and also subject to error and uncertainty; and (3) chamber tests provide little insight into the mechanisms controlling emissions. This research aimed to solve these problems by developing reference materials for VOC and SVOC emissions testing. Formaldehyde was studied separately from other VOCs because of its unusual properties. Emission mechanisms, and the related modeling approaches for predicting emissions, were investigated by reviewing the literature and performing chamber studies. Based on the internally controlled VOC and formaldehyde emission mechanisms, diffusion-controlled reference materials, which mimic real sources, were created for VOCs and formaldehyde. Approaches for developing externally controlled reference materials for SVOC emissions testing were also explored. Appropriate mechanistic models can predict the true emission rates of the reference materials and therefore provide reference values to validate emissions testing results and certify procedures of individual laboratories. The potential of a solid phase microextraction (SPME) method was also evaluated and found to be a promising technique that can be used in chamber tests to simplify and improve sampling and analytical procedures. This research elucidates the mass-transfer mechanisms of VOC and SVOC emissions and provides practical approaches for developing reference materials for emissions testing. The fundamental understanding and methodological advances will enhance indoor air quality science, improve the emissions testing industry, and provide a sound basis on which to develop standards and regulations.en
dc.description.degreePh. D.en
dc.identifier.otheretd-04302012-151649en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-04302012-151649/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/77053en
dc.language.isoen_USen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectformaldehydeen
dc.subjectvolatile organic compoundsen
dc.subjectemissionsen
dc.subjectreference materialen
dc.subjectsemi-volatile organic compoundsen
dc.titleDeveloping Reference Materials for VOC, Formaldehyde and SVOC Emissions Testingen
dc.typeDissertationen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineCivil Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.namePh. D.en

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