Download or read book Developing Consensus Standards for Measuring Chemical Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam SPF Insulation written by John Sebroski and published by . This book was released on 2016-11 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Evaluation of Micro Scale Chambers for Measuring Chemical Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation written by John Sebroski and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Consensus standards are being developed at ASTM International to identify potential emissions from spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation products and to evaluate their impact on indoor air quality after installation. A method is currently being developed to measure emissions of SPF insulation using micro-scale chambers. In order to evaluate emission decay rates and the effects of temperature, generic SPF formulations (closed-cell and open-cell) were tested for emissions in micro-scale chambers (0.114 L) at ambient (23°C) and two elevated temperatures (40 and 65°C) for 20 days. Small-scale chamber (36-L) tests were conducted simultaneously to correlate the emission factors that were measured with the micro-scale chambers. Thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to capture and quantitate target volatile organic compounds (blowing agents, amine catalysts, etc.) and the flame retardant used in both formulations. Aldehydes were captured onto silica gel sorbent tubes with dinitrophenylhydrazine and analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography. After the application of open-cell SPF, the outer skin layer of the foam may be trimmed to align the surface with wall studs or other structural elements. In this case, it may be necessary to mimic this practice when preparing samples for analyses to measure emissions. In order to investigate the impact of emissions on trimmed SPF samples, micro-scale chamber studies were conducted on both trimmed and untrimmed generic open-cell SPF material for comparison. The data from this study demonstrate that micro-scale chambers can be used to identify and quantitate potential emissions from SPF insulation. The findings from this research will be used to support the development of consensus standards in ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality, Subcommittee D22.05 on Indoor Air.

Download or read book Standard Test Method for Determining Chemical Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam SPF Insulation using Micro Scale Environmental Test Chambers written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Characterization of Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam written by Dustin Poppendieck and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation increases building energy efficiency by reducing conductive and convective heat losses through the building envelope and is used in both new construction and retrofit applications. Health complaints relating to emissions from SPF installations have spurred a joint industry and federal effort to develop standard methods to quantify airborne emissions from SPF. As part of this effort, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) tasked the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with developing testing and measurement protocols to determine the quantities and properties of compounds released from SPF, such as amine catalysts and aldehydes, as it is applied in residential settings. Specifically, this effort examined if micro-chamber emission results can be used to determine concentrations in indoor environments and to quantify the emissions from a SPF sample that was applied in a potentially non-ideal manner. The data demonstrate that emissions from SPF are chemical, temperature, flow, and foam type dependent. Micro-chamber data can be used to compare chemical emission profiles from various foams, but micro-chamber emission rates for flame retardants cannot be directly applied to full scale emissions in a building. The results from examining SPF in a residential test home suggest that occupants may be exposed to measureable concentrations of the flame retardant tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) two years after application of open cell foam. CPSC submitted a SPF sample suggestive of being applied in a non-ideal manner. When the submitted SPF was tested in the micro-chamber, over 17 different chemicals were identified with a spectrum match, seven of which had not been previously identified in literature emitting from other foams. Of the chemicals for which concentrations were quantified in the micro-chamber experiments, triethylenediamine concentrations were the highest. The emission rates of six chemicals were quantified from the SPF. The emission rates of all chemicals except for TCPP decreased in a negative exponential manner. More information on chemicals emitted from SPF in buildings are needed to determine if the tested foam is indeed a misapplied foam. Emission rates in this document apply only to micro-chamber conditions. This data should not be used to predict full-scale emissions until further testing has determined mass transfer parameters.

Download or read book Computer Simulation of Peak Temperatures in Spray Polyurethane Foam Used in Residential Insulation Applications written by Richard S. Duncan and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 19 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Test methods to measure emissions of specific chemical compounds for spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation are currently under development within the ASTM D22.05 Subcommittee on Indoor Air. Although most of this work has focused on small chamber emissions testing at room temperatures, supplemental emissions testing at elevated temperatures of 40°C (104°F) and 65°C (150°F) are being considered. The applicability of these elevated temperatures needs to be determined based on in situ temperatures experienced by SPF. In lieu of costly, time-consuming field measurements of SPF temperatures, this work used a one-dimensional transient dynamic numerical simulation to estimate SPF temperatures. This simulation was conducted over a 1 year period at hourly increments for SPF installed in wall and roof assemblies located in Miami and Phoenix. The results show that the outer layer of SPF in these assemblies can exceed 40°C for 8 to 10 h during each day of the summer months. However, the inner layers of the SPF remain within 1 to 2°C of room temperature. Due to these temperature variations with time and position in these assemblies exposed to real-world conditions, elevated temperature emission data from conventional test chambers may have limited use for contaminant modeling, but elevated temperature emission data may have other uses, such as for comparison testing or advanced modeling.

Download or read book Predicting TCPP Emissions and Airborne Concentrations from Spray Polyurethane Foam Using USEPA I SVOC Software written by Shen Tian and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spray polyurethane foam insulation is a widely used insulation material in both new construction and building renovations. To better understand its impact on indoor air quality in addition to establishing consensus standards for measuring chemical emissions experimentally, a recently developed mathematical model and software tool by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, i-SVOC, was applied to estimate a semivolatile organic compound (SVOC) flame retardant (tris[2-chloro-1-methylethyl] phosphate [TCPP]) emitted from spray foam and its fate and transport in a modeled indoor environment. With limited literature data, we first estimated the key parameters required by i-SVOC software, including the solid/air partition coefficient (kma), solid-phase diffusion coefficient (Ds), and gas-phase mass transfer coefficient (hg) of TCPP, and then included indoor sinks such as dry wall and flooring as well as the interaction between TCPP and airborne particles. Finally, i-SVOC was used to calculate the airborne TCPP concentration and source emissions/sink sorption factor using a hypothetical room condition. Additional simulations were conducted using the microchamber conditions and compared to the experimental results. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed to study the impact of key parameters on modeling results. Comparing between modeling and experimental results, we found that at 23°C the emissions factors derived from the microchamber study were very close to the high-end modeling results, whereas at higher temperatures, i-SVOC predicted lower emissions factors with current inputs. In the sensitivity analysis, kma was found to be the most important parameter to explain such differences between modeling and experimental results. The hg contributed to the differences as well with a higher impact within the first few hours. In addition, it is important to include indoor SVOC sinks, which are ubiquitous in indoor environments. Although i-SVOC is a promising tool for studying SVOC emissions from building materials, experimental measurements are essential for validating input parameter estimation and modeling results.

Download or read book Measurement of Chemical Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation Using an Automated Microscale Chamber System written by Yunyun Nie and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Off-line microscale chamber measurements of spray polyurethane foam require settings to be changed manually and an analyst to start and stop sampling times. An automated dynamic headspace system was used for on-line, fully automated microscale chamber measurements of SPF. In this way, precise measurement and computerized control of sampling times, volumes, and temperature would be possible. After the system was qualified analytically, timed measurements were carried out automatically over a period of approximately 15 h to understand off-gassing mechanisms of the foams. In a separate experiment, the effect of sample temperature was probed using an automated sequence in which temperatures were changed at defined times to simulate the heating of a foam sample in an attic or ceiling. Both experiments provided unattended and precise control and measurement of the three principle variables in microscale chamber experiments: time, sampling volume, and temperature. The system should prove useful for mathematical modeling and for sharing procedures between researchers.

Download or read book Prioritizing Chemical Emissions from Closed Cell Spray Polyurethane Foam written by Scott Ecoff and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 21 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We conducted field and laboratory chamber studies in March 2013 to assess airborne concentrations of chemicals emitted from a rigid closed-cell medium-density spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation material. For the field study, SPF was installed by high-pressure spray application in the main attic and in four smaller crawlspaces of a home built in 1975. The field study involved the collection of area air samples in the home before, during, and after SPF application. We also evaluated chemical emissions from SPF using laboratory micro-scale chambers specifically optimized to evaluate postspray chemical emissions from SPF. Micro-scale chambers are a common tool used by labs to assess volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from a source, and standard test methods are being developed by ASTM specifically for SPF. To prioritize VOC emissions from SPF, a simple well-mixed, single-zone box model and the emission factors generated from a micro-scale chamber study were used to evaluate the screening-level VOC airborne concentration in the home. These screening-level values were then compared to air sampling data obtained during the field study. For two VOCs that were the predominant chemicals emitted from the SPF, the airborne VOC concentrations were within an order of magnitude between modeling and actual field measurement at Days 7 and 28. This study indicates that emission factors obtained through micro-scale chamber testing together with a screening-level model could serve as a prioritization tool in evaluating indoor VOC airborne concentrations for SPF applications. More sophisticated models are needed to better characterize emission mechanisms, indoor fate, transport, and airborne concentration of all chemicals, including semivolatile VOCs that may be emitted from SPF.

Download or read book Building Materials Health and Indoor Air Quality written by Tom Woolley and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2016-10-04 with total page 231 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The impact of building materials and construction methods on the health and wellbeing of occupants is often underestimated. This book is an essential guide to understanding and avoiding hazardous materials and poor air quality in buildings. The author covers a range of issues beginning with an explanation of how buildings work and how this influences the health of occupants and users. The text covers: Ventilation, air conditioning and indoor air quality Damp and mould Asthma and respiratory problems Cancer and endocrine disorders Radiation and radon Hazardous building materials used in construction Indoor air quality and emissions Ecological alternatives and approaches and remedies for ‘sick’ buildings The book also guides the reader through the confusing world of regulations, EU and international guidelines and certifications, and provides a critical analysis of different theories of healthy buildings and philosophies. Written in a clear and accessible style, this book provides indispensable advice and information to anyone wishing to better understand healthy buildings and materials. It is essential reading for architects, surveyors, public health professionals, facilities managers and environmentalists.

Download or read book VOC Emissions from Spray Foam Insulation Under Different Application Conditions written by Doyun Won and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 13 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation has been reported to emit hazardous compounds if not applied correctly. Because two-component low-pressure spray foam insulation is more readily available for a do-it-yourself project in homes, the importance of optimal application is getting attention. We compared chemical emissions from spray foam insulations applied in four different ways in an attempt to simulate normal and abnormal applications. The normal application (SPF1c) involved adhering to the manufacturer's application instructions and assumed identical amounts of Components A and B (1 : 1) and a final foam thickness of 2 in. in two passes applied at room temperature (22-23°C). The Component A opening was reduced to a quarter turn in attempt to achieve a 0.25 : 1 ratio with the intention of generating a nonoptimal ratio of two components in the next application (SPF1d). SPF1e and SPF1f were applied at 16 and 5°C, respectively, which are suboptimal compared to the recommended application temperatures of 21 to 32°C. After application, the specimens were tested for 4 days in 50-L chambers at 23°C, 50 % relative humidity, and 1 air change per hour. In general, the emission factors were higher if the foam was applied below the manufacturer's recommended application temperature. More specifically, the emission factor was the highest when the foam was applied either at 5°C for the most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or at 16°C for some VOCs, followed by SPF1d. For example, the emission factor of triethyl phosphate increased by a factor of 2, 8, and 12 for SPF1d, SPF1e, and SPF1f, respectively. This demonstrates that the VOC emissions can increase significantly when the spray foam is not applied according to the manufacturer's application instructions.

Download or read book Investigating Sampling and Analytical Techniques to Understand Emission Characteristics from Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation and Data Needs written by Katherine Sleasman and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The increasing usage of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation in residential buildings, coupled with potential adverse health outcomes, warrant consideration of exposure pathways to the chemicals that may be emitted from SPF, including unreacted isocyanates, catalysts, blowing agents, flame retardants, and aldehydes. The generation of new emissions data through chamber testing and modeling can inform stewardship guidance and practices during the use of SPF insulation, including application techniques and environmental variables, postapplication reentry times, personal protective equipment guidelines, and the use of adequate ventilation. Emissions test methods and protocols that utilize sampling and analytical protocols are needed to understand the variables that affect emissions and curing to develop and assess residential exposure scenarios. Factors important for chamber testing include the type of chamber being used (e.g., emissions test cell, small chamber, full-scale chamber) and the physical characteristics of the test chambers. Chamber testing data could then be used to model product formulation, room size, distance from the source, amount of product used (grams per event), thickness of application, air exchange and ventilation rates, equipment-related variables (method of application), temperature, and humidity. This paper evaluates current analytical and sampling methods used to determine potential worker and residential exposure to SPF chemicals. Data gaps in worker and residential exposures will also be discussed to show where chamber testing and modeling can answer questions such as what is an appropriate reoccupancy or reentry time and recommended ventilation methods.

Download or read book Characterization of Emissions from a Non ideal Spray Polyurethane Foam Sample Letter Report to U S Consumer Product Safety Commission Interagency Agreement CPSC I 13 0016 MOD 1 written by Dustin Poppendieck and published by . This book was released on with total page 13 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many homeowners and government programs are using insulating products, such as SPF, at a growing rateto increase the energy efficiency of their residences and other constructed buildings. Retrofitting or addition of foam insulation in new construction is also supported in the United States by Federal efforts, such as tax incentives, and programs like Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star and Design for the Environment. Because of these programs and other drivers for more efficient buildings, the insulation foam industry expects significant growth in the use of their products over the next few years. , SPF is used as both an insulation and a sealant. It is formed onsite via an exothermic chemical reaction between A-side and B-side chemicals and. The A-side typically consists of monomeric or polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. Polyols are part of the B-side chemicals, which also include amine and/or metal catalysts, blowing agents, surfactants, and flame retardants. Amine and/or metal catalysts are used to promote the reaction between polyols and A-side chemicals, which help polyurethane foam cells develop sufficient strength to maintain their structure and resist collapsing. CPSC, along with EPA and other federal agencies, has received a number of complaints regarding health effects resulting from the installation of SPF in homes. Residents have complained about a multitude of adverse effects including severe respiratory irritation, breathing difficulties, dizziness and nausea. In some cases, the reported effects are so severe that consumers report that they can no longer live in their homes. These health effects are reported to occur several days to months following the SPF installation in the home.

Download or read book Standard Practice for Spraying Sampling Packaging and Test Specimen Preparation of Spray Polyurethane Foam SPF Insulation for Testing of Emissions Using Environmental Chambers written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Assessment and Remediation of Misapplied Spray Polyurethane Foam written by Ed Light and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 10 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Misapplication of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation may result in occupant complaints associated with persistent odor. SPF installed in homes may fail to completely cure when the contractor does not follow specified procedures (e.g., with respect to the depth of individual layers, timing between layer application, ratio, temperature, and mixing of SPF components). Few data are available on emissions from misapplied spray polyurethane foam (MSPF), and field practices used to control odors have not been validated. This paper discusses strategies for resolving MSPF odor concerns and suggests an assessment/mitigation protocol for field use pending further research. MSPF is suggested by a persistent "fishy" type of odor after installation. A visual inspection looking for discoloration and discontinuities may be helpful in confirming the presence of MSPF and estimating its extent. Limitations in the sensitivity and selectivity of air sampling methods available to field practitioners may preclude the identification of contaminants associated with MSPF emissions. Emissions testing of bulk samples facilitates the identification of airborne contaminants under more concentrated conditions, but data interpretation is subject to considerable uncertainty. Interim exposure reduction pending remediation can be achieved by site isolation and ventilation. A mitigation process has been suggested for resolving odors associated with MSPF that involves the removal of MSPF, cleanup, resealing the substrate with properly cured SPF, and ventilation. Verification of odor control can be based on systematic evaluation under specified conditions. Recommendations for refining and validating assessment and mitigation protocols are presented. Additional research is needed to better understand and resolve potential health risks. Tertiary amines associated with SPF catalysts are significant contributors to MSPF odor. Lower-emitting catalysts are now being introduced into SPF products with a potential to reduce MSPF odors.

Download or read book Method Development for Measuring Volatile Organic Compound VOC Emission Rates from Spray Foam Insulation SPF and Their Interrelationship with Indoor Air Quality IAQ Human Health and Ventilation Strategies written by Dzhordzhio Naldzhiev and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 33 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Climate Change the Indoor Environment and Health written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2011-10-01 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The indoor environment affects occupants' health and comfort. Poor environmental conditions and indoor contaminants are estimated to cost the U.S. economy tens of billions of dollars a year in exacerbation of illnesses like asthma, allergic symptoms, and subsequent lost productivity. Climate change has the potential to affect the indoor environment because conditions inside buildings are influenced by conditions outside them. Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health addresses the impacts that climate change may have on the indoor environment and the resulting health effects. It finds that steps taken to mitigate climate change may cause or exacerbate harmful indoor environmental conditions. The book discusses the role the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should take in informing the public, health professionals, and those in the building industry about potential risks and what can be done to address them. The study also recommends that building codes account for climate change projections; that federal agencies join to develop or refine protocols and testing standards for evaluating emissions from materials, furnishings, and appliances used in buildings; and that building weatherization efforts include consideration of health effects. Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health is written primarily for the EPA and other federal agencies, organizations, and researchers with interests in public health; the environment; building design, construction, and operation; and climate issues.

Download or read book Understanding Renewable Energy Systems written by Volker Quaschning and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2016-03-31 with total page 483 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: By mid-century, renewable energy must cover all of our energy supply if we are to phase out nuclear and successfully stop climate change. Now updated and expanded, the 2nd edition of this textbook covers the full range of renewable energy systems and now also includes such current trends as solar power storage, power-to-gas technologies, and the technology paths needed for a successful and complete energy transition. The topics are treated in a holistic manner, bringing together maths, engineering, climate studies and economics, and enabling readers to gain a broad understanding of renewable energy technologies and their potential.Numerous examples are provided for calculations, and graphics help visualize the various technologies and mathematical methodologies. Understanding Renewable Energy Systems is an ideal companion for students of renewable energy at universities or technical colleges on courses such as renewable energy, electrical engineering, engineering technology, physics, process engineering, building engineering, environment, applied mechanics and mechanical engineering, as well as scientists and engineers in research and industry.