Record Display for the EPA National Library Catalog

RECORD NUMBER: 34 OF 48

Main Title Interaction of Vapour Phase Organic Compounds with Indoor Sinks.
Author Tichenor, B. A. ; Guo, Z. ; Dunn, J. E. ; Sparks, L. E. ; Mason, M. A. ;
CORP Author Acurex Corp., Research Triangle Park, NC. ;Arkansas Univ., Fayetteville. Dept. of Mathematical Sciences.;Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC. Air and Energy Engineering Research Lab.
Publisher c1991
Year Published 1991
Report Number EPA-68-02-4701; EPA/600/J-91/069;
Stock Number PB91-196493
Additional Subjects Indoor air pollution ; Construction materials ; Carpets ; Upholstery ; Volatile organic compounds ; Adsorption ; Desorption ; Mass transfer ; Test chambers ; Tetrachloroethylene ; ethyl benzene ; Pollution control ; Stationary sources ; Reprints ; Pollution sinks
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NTIS  PB91-196493 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 15p
Abstract
The interaction of indoor air pollutants with interior surfaces (i.e., sinks) is a well known, but poorly understood, phenomenon. Studies have shown that re-emissions of adsorbed organic vapors can contribute to elevated concentrations of organics in indoor environments. Research is being conducted in small environmental test chambers to develop data for predicting sink behavior. The paper reports on the development of sink models based on fundamental mass transfer theory. The results of experiments conducted to determine the magnitude and rate of adsorption and desorption of vapor phase organic compounds for several materials are presented. Five materials were evaluated: carpet, painted wallboard, ceiling tile, window glass, and upholstery. Two organic compounds were tested with each material: tetrachloroethylene (a common cleaning solvent) and ethylbenzene (a common constituent of petroleum-based solvents widely used in consumer products). The results of the experimental work are presented showing the relevant sink effect parameters for each material tested and comparing the sorptive behavior of the two organic compounds evaluated. An indoor air quality (IAQ) model was modified to incorporate adsorption and desorption sink rates. The model was used to predict the temporal history of the concentration of total vapor phase organics in a test house after application of a wood finishing product. The predicted results are presented and compared to measured values. Suggestions for further research on indoor sinks are presented. (Copyright (c) 1991 Danish Technical Press.)