ASTM D 5116 : 2017

1.1This guide provides direction on the measurement of the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor materials and products using small-scale environmental test chambers.

1.2This guide pertains to chambers that fully enclose a material specimen to be tested and does not address other emission chamber designs such as emission cells (see instead Practice D7143).

1.3As an ASTM standard, this guide describes options, but does not recommend specific courses of action. This guide is not a standard test method and must not be construed as such.

1.4The use of small environmental test chambers to characterize the emissions of VOCs from indoor materials and products is still evolving. Modifications and variations in equipment, testing procedures, and data analysis are made as the work in the area progresses. For several indoor materials, more detailed ASTM standards for emissions testing have now been developed. Where more detailed ASTM standard practices or methods exist, they supersede this guide and should be used in its place. Until the interested parties agree upon standard testing protocols, differences in approach will occur. This guide will continue to provide assistance by describing equipment and techniques suitable for determining organic emissions from indoor materials. Specific examples are provided to illustrate existing approaches; these examples are not intended to inhibit alternative approaches or techniques that will produce equivalent or superior results.

1.5Small chambers have obvious limitations. Normally, only samples of larger materials (for example, carpet) are tested. Small chambers are not applicable for testing complete assemblages (for example, furniture). Small chambers are also inappropriate for testing combustion devices (for example, kerosene heaters) or activities (for example, use of aerosol spray products). For some products, small chamber testing may provide only a portion of the emission profile of interest. For example, the rate of emissions from the application of high solvent materials (for example, paints and waxes) by means of brushing, spraying, rolling, etc. are generally higher than the rate during the drying process. Small chamber testing cannot be used to evaluate the application phase of the coating process. Large (or full-scale) chambers may be more appropriate for many of these applications. For guidance on full-scale chamber testing of emissions from indoor materials refer to Practice D6670.

1.6This guide does not provide specific directions for the selection of sampling media or for the analysis of VOCs. This information is provided in Practice D6196.

1.7This guide does not provide specific directions for determining emissions of formaldehyde from composite wood products, since chamber testing methods for such emissions are well developed and widely used. For more information refer to Test Methods E1333 and D6007. It is possible, however, that the guide can be used to support alternative testing methods.

1.8This guide is not applicable to the determination of emissions of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from materials/products largely due to adsorption of these compounds on materials commonly used for construction of chambers suitable for VOC emissions testing. Alternate procedures are required for SVOCs. For example, it may be possible to screen materials for emissions of SVOCs using micro-scale chambers operated at temperatures above normal indoor conditions (see Practice D7706).

1.9This guide is applicable to the determination of emissions from products and materials that may be used indoors. The effects of the emissions (for example, toxicity) are not addressed and are beyond the scope of the guide. Guide D6485 provides an example of the assessment of acute and irritant effects of VOC emissions for a given material. Specification of “target” organic species of concern is similarly beyond the scope of this guide. As guideline levels for specific indoor contaminants develop, so too will emission test protocols to provide relevant information. Emissions databases and material labeling schemes will also be expected to adjust to reflect the current state of knowledge.

1.10Specifics related to the acquisition, handling, conditioning, preparation, and testing of individual test specimens may vary depending on particular study objectives. Guidelines for these aspects of emissions testing are provided here, specific direction is not mandated. The purpose of this guide is to increase the awareness of the user to available techniques for evaluating organic emissions from indoor materials/products by means of small chamber testing, to identify the essential aspects of emissions testing that must be controlled and documented, and therefore to provide information, which may lead to further evaluation and standardization.

1.11Within the context of the limitations discussed in this section, the purpose of this guide is to describe the methods and procedures for determining organic emission rates from indoor materials/products using small environmental test chambers. The techniques described are useful for both routine product testing by manufacturers and testing laboratories and for more rigorous evaluation by indoor air quality (IAQ) researchers. Appendix X1 provides references to standards that are widely employed to measure emissions of VOCs from materials and products used in the interiors of buildings. Some of these standards directly reference this guide.

1.12The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.13This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.14This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.