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MEASUREMENTS OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AND PARTICLES DURING APPLICATION OF LATEX PAINT WITH AN AIRLESS SPRAYER
Citation:
Fortmann, R C., N. Roache, A. Ng, AND J.C S. Chang*. MEASUREMENTS OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AND PARTICLES DURING APPLICATION OF LATEX PAINT WITH AN AIRLESS SPRAYER. Presented at Engineering Solutions to IAQ Problems, Raleigh, NC, 7/17-19/2000.
Description:
The paper discusses experiments, conducted at EPA's Indoor Air Quality Research House, to measure airborne concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particles during and following the spray-application of latex wall paint. (NOTE: Paint may be applied indoors by a variety of methods including brushing, rolling, and spraying. The spray-application of paint may result in exposure to both VOCs and aerosols). Latex paint was applied to all four walls of a closed 30-cubic-meter bedroom by a professional painter using a commercial electric airless sprayer. VOCs were collected on Tenax ? and XAD ? - 7 sorbents and analyzed by gas chromatography. Total suspended particles and particles with diameters < 10 micrometers (PM10) and < 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) were collected on filters and measured gravimetrically. Particle concentrations and size distributions were measured with an Aerosizer Particle Monitor. The VOC concentrations in the room were consistent with results from previous tests involving application of a similar paint with a roller. The particles were predominantly in the 4-6 micrometer diameter size fraction during the spray application period. Particle concentrations dropped quickly after the application ended. The measurements showed that painters may be exposed to substantially elevated particle concentrations.