Exposure Risk Assessment of the Emissions of Wood Preservative Chemicals in Indoor Environments

Abstract

A collaborative study was undertaken to evaluate the sustainability of a new generation of biocides for the treatment of timbers in buildings and to validate the recyclability of the treated timbers. The evaluation included an assessment of the impact of emissions of the wood treatment chemicals during the service life of timbers and recycled wood based products. This involved emission testing of active substances (propiconazole, tebuconazole, permethrin and dichlofluanid) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from timber pretreated or coated using formulated products. The German AgBB method for evaluating VOC emissions from construction products was used to discuss the relative risk of the treated timbers. The emission rates of the active substances from the treated timbers were compared to the ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) values given in the draft reports from the EU Biocides Directive, 98/8/EC, to determine the exposure risk to building occupants. As a part of this study, the emissions of the active substances from the stud frame of a newly built test cabin were monitored over a two year period.

Particle/Gas Partitioning of Phthalates to Organic and Inorganic Airborne Particles in the Indoor Environment

“…Modern indoor environments contain a vast array of products, many of which contain semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs). SVOCs, including phthalates, flame retardants, biocides, and pesticides, − are often found in consumer products as additives to enhance product performance and may be present in these products at levels up to tens-of-percent by mass. − Several SVOCs are associated with adverse health effects, and some are considered as potential endocrine disrupters. , Because SVOCs are usually not chemically bound to the polymer matrix, they are emitted from these products and have become ubiquitous indoors. SVOC partitioning to airborne particles tends to result in higher total concentrations (gas- and particle-phase) than occur in the gas phase alone because of their low vapor pressures. ,, These SVOC-containing particles can remain in the air, or settle and resuspend, and serve as a source of exposure via inhalation and ingestion of dust .…”

Adsorption of Phthalates on Impervious Indoor Surfaces

“…Tens of thousands of manufactured chemicals are currently used in consumer products in the United States and at least a thousand more are introduced each year. , Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), including many phthalates, flame retardants, and preservatives, are organic molecules with vapor pressures between 10 –9 and 10 Pa. , SVOCs are often present in consumer products as additives that are used to enhance product performance and may be present in the product at levels up to tens-of-percent by mass. − Human exposure to SVOCs in consumer products may occur following emission from the source and migration to other media. The potential adverse health effects associated with some SVOCs include endocrine disruption, asthma, and allergies. − For these reasons, indoor emissions, transport, and potential human exposure to these SVOCs have become a high priority research area that informs chemical safety and public health.…”

A simple method to measure the gas‐phase SVOC concentration adjacent to a material surface

“…Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), including many phthalates, flame retardants, and preservatives, are organic molecules with vapor pressures between 10 À9 and 10 Pa (Weschler and Nazaroff, 2008). SVOCs are often present as additives that are used to enhance product performance and may be present in the product at percent to tens-of-percent levels by mass (Carignan et al, 2013;Liu and Little, 2012;Masuck et al, 2011;Yu et al, 2009). Human exposure to SVOCs in consumer products may occur following emission from the source and migration to other media.…”