Eurofins Product Testing - Dutch symposium 2007 on VOC and formaldehyde emissions from products
Some 40 participants from different businesses showed up to a Eurofins symposium in Amersfoort (NL). Eight speakers presented various aspects of testing emissions from products into indoor air (see the programme).
Summary
Wim Meijer (Pro Monitoring) gave an overview on indoor air quality issues such as smoking, ventilation, mould and the Sick-Building-Syndrome. Volatile substances such as formaldehyde, solvents and isocyanates may reach indoor air and contribute to impaired well-being. Dutch limit values (e.g. for benzene) are exceeded in many cases. Most concern is on exposure of most sensitive people such as children. The new REACH law on chemicals may help to reduce use of hazardous chemicals.
Jacqueline van Engelen (RIVM) explained REACH legislation and the ConsExpo model. Release of chemicals from consumer products (e.g. from sprays) and exposure of consumers are linked together with mathematical models. Inhalation, skin contact and oral uptake are considered. Default parameter values are provided via a database (linked to the software program ConsExpo) that is operated for the Voedsel en Waren Authoriteit,and can be used for a rapid exposure assessment. If use of a certain product looks potentially unsafe, specific tests and measurements may be performed for clarifying the situation.
Marie-France Corre (consultant) gave an overview on emissions test results of consumer products such as air fresheners, floor coverings, paints and cleaners. These were investigated by consumer organisations in several countries. Test results indicate that different consumer products in the same category don't impact indoor air quality in the same way. But consumers are not having much help for making the distinction between low emission products and products contributing significantly to indoor pollution because in most countries there are no labels available or in use for identifying low emitting products.
Louis Wolswijk and Thomas Neuhaus (both Eurofins) explained basic principles and the challenges in testing with good accuracy and reproducibility. Tests are performed with test pieces in a ventilated test chamber at well-defined climate. After certain points of time air samples are taken from the test chamber and analysed by GC/MS or HPLC. ISO 16000 standards and similar procedures are applied. Testing labs should have these specific testing methods included in their ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, and show good performance in round robin tests.
Jan Boon (Forbo Flooring) explained test methods and evaluation systems used by floor covering industry. Several groups are working in Europe on harmonising test methods, but still each member state of European Union sets its own limit values. He stressed that industry needs harmonisation such that one emission test is sufficient for whole Europe, best even for whole world.
Udo Windhövel (Henkel) showed how adhesives manufacturers created their label EMICODE for identifying low emission adhesives, mortars and sealants. More than 800 products are now using this label after an emission chamber test. Consumer can select a flooring installation product labelled with EMICODE and then be sure to buy a product with low impact on indoor air quality.
Reinhard Oppl (Eurofins) described most current developments in Europe. In few countries there are legal limits for emissions. In several other countries there are labels describing low emissions. In some countries it is a clear market advantage for industry and retailers to use those labels. Test methods are harmonised more and more, and Eurofins is acknowledged as test house for many labels. Then one test may serve for reporting to several national emission criteria and labels - this saves costs when compared to testing for each label separately. The limit values are still different from country to country. Some discussion may be expected in near future on which substances should be of concern for emissions into indoor air, and which ones not.
Resume
At the end, it was obvious that documentation of VOC and formaldehyde emissions are of increasing importance for industry, for showing that their products do not have negative impact on indoor air quality. Industry is well advised to know emissions from their products and to report these - be it upon request, be it as proactive quality argumentation. Eurofins with more than 15 years experience with such tests is a highly qualified partner for such evaluations.