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Abstract
Degrading 2-ethylhexyl-containing PVC floorings (eg DEHP-PVC floorings) and adhesives emit 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) in the indoor air. The danger of flooring degradation comes from exposing occupants to harmful phthalates plasticisers (eg DEHP), but not from 2-EH as such. Since the EU banned the use of phthalates in sensitive applications, the market is shifting to use DEHP-free and alternative types of plasticisers in PVC products. However, data on emissions from DEHP-free PVC floorings are scarce. This study aimed at assessing the surface and bulk emissions of two DEHP-free PVC floorings over three years. The floorings were glued on the screed layer of concrete casts at 75%, 85%, and 95% RH. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were actively sampled using FLEC (surface emissions) and micro-chamber/thermal extractor (µ-CTE, bulk emissions) onto Tenax TA adsorbents and analyzed with TD-GC-MS. 2-EH, C9-alcohols, and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) emissions are reported. Emissions at 75% and 85% RH were similar. As expected, the highest emissions occurred at 95% RH. 2-EH emissions originated from the adhesive. Because the two DEHP-free floorings tested emitted C9-alcohols at all tested RH, it makes the detection of flooring degradation harder, particularly if the adhesive used does not emit 2-EH.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 903-912 |
Journal | Indoor Air |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 26 Jun 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2019 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- 2-ethylhexanol
- C9-alcohol
- flooring
- phthalates
- PVC
- TVOC
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Dive into the research topics of 'Emissions of DEHP-free PVC flooring'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Toxin transport mechanisms from moisture damaged structures to indoor air
Castagnoli, E., Kurnitski, J., Mikkola, R., Ahmed, K., Piironen, J., Andersson, A., Vornanen-Winqvist, C., Taebnia, M., Järvi, K., Salonen, H. & Alapieti, T.
01/09/2015 → 31/08/2019
Project: Academy of Finland: Other research funding