An Analytical Method to Characterize the Emission of Chemical Substances from Building Materials using a Passive Flux Sampler (PFS)

Abstract

We developed a passive flux sampler (PFS) used to identify sources of indoor chemical emissions from building materials and furniture. In this paper, we explain the methodology used to identify the primary source of the emissions. In addition, we also discuss several analytical methods used to understand the emission characteristics of a test piece of building material. The emission characteristics may be understood by measuring the following six parameters: maximum emission rate, apparent equilibrium concentration, decay rate constant, apparent activation energy, proportionality constant with material thickness, and maximum internal diffusion flux.