Chemical Emissions during Recarpeting of a Canadian Office Building

Abstract

One floor of a large office building in the Ottawa area was monitored during a month-long recarpeting project in which nylon carpet and latex adhesive were used. Total volatile organic compound (TVOC) samples were collected in sev eral locations at various times after recarpeting. The TVOC concentration due to the recarpeting process showed the expected exponential decrease with time. Emission rates calculated from TVOC concentrations and measured air change rates agreed well with values determined in laboratory studies, and were much greater than the emission rate of the carpet alone. Information was collected that provided a link between symptoms of occupant discomfort and exposure to the recarpeting process.

Keywords

Emission rate measurement Carpet installation Total volatile organic compounds Office building Ventilation

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References

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