The effect of temperature on VOCs and carbonyl compounds emission from wooden flooring by thermal extractor test method

The environmental chamber method is used to determine the area specific emission factor of VOCs emitted from building products, which is calculated from the small emission test chamber concentration by considering the passing air flow rate and surface area at 23-28 degrees C. Although indoor air temperatures are generally between 17 and 28 degrees C, floor heating can create exceptional conditions in flooring materials. To determine the effect of temperature, the emission of VOCs and carbonyl compounds from engineered flooring and laminate flooring were measured using a thermal extractor (TE), which was applied at 25, 35 and 45 degrees C for 30 min. At 35 degrees C, the level of TVOC emission was more than double that at 25 degrees C. At 35 degrees C and 45 degrees C, the level of formaldehyde emission was more than two and five times of that at 25 degrees C, respectively. Therefore, this TE method of VOCs and formaldehyde emission analysis will be a good alternative to the traditional chamber method for determining the VOC emission levels from flooring products. In conclusion, some wooden flooring may contribute to the contamination of indoor air with the use of floor heating. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.