4579 (RP-695) -- Emission of VOCs from Materials Used in Buildings: Analytical and Sensory Aspects PDF

An ASHRAE study explored how temperature and humidity altered emissions from building materials (e.g., carpet, vinyl tile) and how humans perceived the changes. The materials sat in stainless-steel barrels fed with conditioned air. Subjects sampled emissions at 22°C through a PTFE mask. Separate segments explored temperature (19°C and 26°C at 40% RH), humidity (<40 and >65% RH at 22°C), and dilution. From 19°C to 26°C, the level of TVOCs approximately doubled. Increase in humidity led to a mixed picture of increments and decrements. Subjects genrally perceived the changes, usually by intensity of odor and sometimes by irritation. As perceived intensity changed, so also did rated pleasantness, though inversely. For the materials studied her perceived intensity of a material appeared to dictate its pleasantness irrespective of its odor quality. The materials differed in how perceived missions varied with dilution. The odors of some changed little and of others much more.

Units: SI