NRMRL-RTP-460
EPA Contract EP-C-05-060/TO56
April 2011
Environmental and Sustainable Technology
Evaluation: Mold-Resistant Armacell Insulation
- Armacell LLC, AP Armaflex Black
Prepared by:
RTI International
Microbiology Department
3040 Cornwallis Rd
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Telephone: 919-541-8018
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Acronyms and Abbreviations iii
Acknowledgments iv
1.0 Introduction 1
2.0 Verification Approach 3
2.1 Test Material 3
2.2 Test Methods and Procedures 4
2.2.1 Test Organisms 4
2.2.2 Static Chambers 4
2.2.3 Test Design 5
2.2.4 Sample Preparation and Inoculation 5
2.2.5 Calculation of Mold Resistance 6
2.3 Sustainability Indicators and Issues 6
3.0 Results 7
3.1 Mold Resistance 7
3.2 Emissions of VOCs and Formaldehyde 9
3.3 Sustainability Issues 9
4.0 Data Quality Assessment 10
5.0 References 11
APPENDICES
Page
Appendix A
VOCs and Formaldehyde Emissions Testing A -1
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 -1. Diagram illustrating the conditions required for fungal growth on a material 2
Figure 2-1. Top (outer) surface of material 3
Figure 2-2. Bottom (inner) surface of material 3
Figure 3-1. Log change mAspergillus versicolor inoculated on the test material over 12 weeks on the
insulation reference material and Armacell 8
Figure 3-2. Log change in Stachybotrys chartarum inoculated on the test material over 12 weeks on the
insulation reference material and Armacell 8
LIST OF TABLES
Table 3-1. Logic CPUs for test material (Armacell) and reference material (insulation) on each test date
(Mean±SD) 7
Table 3-2. Test results for VOCs and formaldehyde emissions from Armacell 9
Table 4-1. Data quality objectives 10
ii
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
Acronyms and Abbreviations
ACH air changes per hour
ADQ audit of data quality
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
AATCC American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
aw water activity
CPU colony forming unit
DNPH 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine
DQO data quality obj ective
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ESTE environmental and sustainable technology evaluations
ERH equilibrium relative humidity
ETV environmental technology verification
g gram(s)
GC/MS gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
ISO International Organization for Standardization
MC moisture content
ML microbiology laboratories
ML SOP microbiology laboratory standard operating procedure
QA quality assurance
QAM quality assurance manager
QAPP quality assurance project plan
QC quality control
QMP quality management plan
RH relative humidity
RTI Research Triangle Institute (RTI International)
sec second(s)
SOP standard operating procedure
spp species
t temperature in degrees Celsius
TOP technical operating procedure
T/QAP test/quality assurance plan
TSA technical system audit
TVOC total volatile organic compounds
VOCs volatile organic compounds
Og microgram(s)
Om micrometer(s)
UL Underwriters Laboratories
in
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors acknowledge the support of all of those who helped plan and conduct the verification
activities. In particular, we would like to thank Dr. Timothy Dean, EPA's Project Manager, and Robert
Wright, EPA's Quality Assurance Manager, both of EPA's National Risk Management Research
Laboratory in Research Triangle Park, NC. We would also like to acknowledge the assistance and
participation of our stakeholder group for their input.
IV
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development (EPA-ORD)
operates the Environmental and Sustainable Technology Evaluation (ESTE) Program to facilitate the
deployment of innovative technologies through performance verification and information dissemination.
The ESTE program is intended to increase the relevance of Environmental Technology Verification
(ETV) Program projects by responding to near-term needs identified by the U.S. EPA program and
regional offices.
The ESTE program involves a three step process. The first step is a technology category selection
process conducted by ORD. The second step involves selection of the project team and gathering of
project collaborators and stakeholders. Collaborators can include technology developers, vendors,
owners, and users. They support the project through funding, cost sharing, and technical support.
Stakeholders can include representatives of regulatory agencies, trade organizations relevant to the
technology, and other associated technical experts. The project team relies on stakeholder input to
improve the relevance, defensibility, and usefulness of project outcomes. Both collaborators and
stakeholders are critical to development of the project test and quality assurance plan (TQAP), the end
result of step two. Step three includes the execution of the verification and quality assurance and review
process for the final reports.
This ESTE project evaluated microbial resistant building materials. EPA's National Risk Management
Research Laboratory contracted with the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to establish an ETV/ESTE
Program for microbial-resistant building materials. RTI convened a group of stakeholders representing
government and industry with knowledge and interest in the areas of mold resistant building materials.
The group met in May and July 2006 and recommended technologies to be tested. RTI then developed
(and EPA approved) the "Test/Quality Assurance Plan for Mold-Resistant Building Material Testing V'
The tests described in this report were conducted following this plan.
Fungal growth and the resulting contamination of building materials is a well-documented problem,
especially after the reports from New Orleans and the U.S. Gulf Coast post Hurricane Katrina.
However, contaminated materials have been recognized as important indoor fungal reservoirs for years.
For example, contamination with fungi has been associated with a variety of materials including carpet,
ceiling tile, gypsum board, wallpaper, flooring, insulation, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning
components2"5.
Exposure to fungi may result in respiratory symptoms of both the upper and lower respiratory tract such
as allergy and asthma6. Everyone is potentially susceptible. However, of particular concern are children
"7 o
with their immature immune systems and individuals of all ages that are immunocompromised ' .
1
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
One approach to limiting exposure is to reduce the levels of fungi in the indoor space. For some
sensitive individuals, limiting exposure through avoidance is an effective control method; however,
avoidance is not always possible or practical. The investigation, development, and application of
effective source controls and strategies are essential to prevent fungal growth in the indoor environment.
Mold resistant building material is a potentially effective method of source control.
Figure 1-1 illustrates the combination of moisture and nutrients required for microbial growth on a
material. Sufficient nutrients for growth may be provided by the material itself or through the
accumulation of dust on or in the material. When sufficient nutrients are available, the ultimate
determinant for microbial growth is availability of water. The more hygroscopic a material (e.g.
wallboard) is, the more impact on the overall hygroscopicity the surface treatments may have.
A building is not a sterile environment, nor
should it be. In fact, a building is frequently a
reservoir for microorganisms. While many
different types of microorganisms occupy indoor
spaces, it is well-recognized that fungi can
colonize and amplify on a variety of building
materials if sufficient nutrients and moisture are
present. These contaminated materials are known
to be important indoor reservoirs. Fungal growth
on natural and fabricated building materials can
be a major source of respiratory disease in
humans. Commonly, sufficient nutrients are
available and water is usually the growth factor
most limiting the establishment and growth of
microbial populations. Sufficient moisture for
growth may become available through water
incursion from leaks and spills, condensation on
cold surfaces, or absorption or adsorption
directly from the indoor air. The amount of
water required is not large, and materials that
appear dry to cursory inspection may be capable
of supporting microorganism growth.
Figure 1-1. Diagram illustrating the conditions
required for fungal growth on a material.
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
2.0 VERIFICATION APPROACH
The ESTE test program measured the mold resistance of Armacell AP Armaflex Black insulation. Since
the EPA program office wanted testing performed on mold-resistant building materials, and Armacell
markets this insulation material as such, it was a good candidate for testing. Tests for emissions of
VOCs and formaldehyde were also performed. An overview of the emissions procedures is found in the
Appendix. The detailed test methods can be found in RTFs test/QA project plan1.
2.1 TEST MATERIAL
The following description of the product was provided by the vendor and was not verified.
AP Armaflex Roll Insulation is a black flexible closed-cell, fiber-free elastomeric thermal insulation. It
is furnished with a smooth skin on one side which forms the outer exposed insulation surface. The
expanded closed-cell structure makes it an efficient insulation for ductwork, large piping, fittings, tanks
and vessels. AP Armaflex products are made with Microban® antimicrobial product protection for
added defense against mold on the insulation.
Figures 2-1 and 2-2 show the top and bottom surfaces of the material.
Figure 2-1. Top (outer) surface of material
Figure 2-2. Bottom (inner) surface of material
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
2.2 TEST METHODS AND PROCEDURES
Mold resistance testing was performed following the guidelines outlined in ASTM 63299. This method
was developed as part of a more comprehensive project to apply indoor air quality engineering to
biocontamination in buildings. One of the primary goals was to develop a scientific basis for studying
indoor air biocontaminants. Available methods, including those from ASTM, AATCC, and UL, for
evaluating the resistance of a variety of materials to fungal growth were surveyed. Although the basic
principles were similar, a major concern was the way growth on the different materials was evaluated.
Although quantitative methods for inoculation were employed by most of the methods, all assessed
growth qualitatively as the endpoint. ASTM 63299 evaluates growth quantitatively as the endpoint. The
method has been successfully used to evaluate fungal resistance on a variety of materials including
ceiling tiles and HVAC duct materials 10~13.
2.2.1 Test Organisms
Selecting the "correct" test organism is critical to any test, therefore selection criteria were developed.
The selection criteria used to choose the appropriate test organisms for this study were:
(1) the reasonableness or likelihood of the test material being challenged by that particular organism
when in actual use, and
(2) that they cover the range of ERHs (equilibrium relative humidities) needed and bracket the ERHs
where fungal growth can occur.
Two fungi were used as test organisms, Aspergillus versicolor and Stachybotrys chartarum. Each of
them met the criteria. S. chartarum requires high levels of available water to grow and has been
associated with a number of toxigenic symptoms. A. versicolor is a xerophilic fungus and capable of
growing at lower relative humidities. Both are from the RTI culture collection (CC). The CC number
for S. chartarum is 3075 and the organism was received from EPA NERL. A. versicolor is CC #3348,
and it is a field isolate. Prior to initiation of the testing, their identification was confirmed by standard
techniques.
2.2.2 Static Chambers
Clear plastic desiccators served as the static environmental chambers. The desiccators are sealed so there
is no air exchange and the desiccators serve as good static chambers. A saturated-salt solution of
potassium chloride was used to maintain the humidity of the 85% ERH chamber. Sterile water was used
for the 100% ERH chamber. Temperature was externally controlled and maintained at room
temperature. Prior to use, the chambers were decontaminated and characterized. The ERH in each
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
chamber was monitored with a hygrometer (Taylor model number 5565) that was placed inside the
chamber.
2.2.3 Test Design
The Armaflex Black insulation was cut aseptically with a razor blade into small pieces (at least 4 cm x 4
cm). Because ASTM 6329 calls for a reference material similar to the test material, the reference
material chosen for comparison was insulation purchased in a local home improvement chain store. The
material was not autoclaved or sterilized in any way prior to inoculation. Therefore, in addition to the
test organism inocula, any organisms naturally on both the top and bottom surfaces of the material had
the opportunity to grow if conditions were favorable for growth. The test organisms are inoculated by
pipette directly onto the surface of each test piece in sufficiently high numbers to provide an adequate
challenge, but at a level that is realistic to quantify. The tests ran for 12 weeks. During the 12 week test
period, data from four test dates, labeled Day 0, Week 1, Week 6, and Week 12 were evaluated. Day 0
samples provided the baseline inoculum level. A sufficient number of test pieces were inoculated
simultaneously for all four test dates. All pieces for one material and one test organism were put in the
same static chamber. The chambers were set to 100% equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) for the tests
with S. chartarum and at 85% for A versicolor. On each test date (including Day 0), five replicates of
the test material pieces were removed from the chamber, each was placed separately in a container with
sterile buffer, and extracted by shaking. The resulting suspension of eluted organisms was plated and
microbial growth on materials was quantified by manually enumerating colony-forming units (CPUs).
The numbers of CPUs eluted on week 1, 6, and 12 were compared to the baseline at Day 0. The
numbers of CPUs on each date are expressed as logio. The results are reported as the log change in
CPUs between Day 0 and Week 1, Day 0 and Week 6, and Day 0 and Week 12.
2.2.4 Sample Preparation and Inoculation
Small (at least 4 cm x 4 cm) replicate pieces of test mold resistant insulation material and reference
insulation material were prepared and inoculated. To minimize error and demonstrate reproducibility,
five pieces of each sample type were processed on each sampling date. Because there were four test
dates, a minimum of 20 pieces were prepared simultaneously. Each piece was placed on a separate
labeled sterile Petri dish.
The fungi challenge suspensions were prepared by inoculating the test organism onto solid agar media,
incubating the culture at room temperature until mature, wiping organisms from the surface of the pure
culture, and suspending them in sterile 18-Mohm distilled water. The organism preparation was viewed
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
microscopically to verify purity of spores (absence of hyphae). The test pieces were inoculated (usually
with five 10 jiL spots in an X configuration) by pipet onto the surface of the test piece and allowed to
dry in the biosafety cabinet.
On each test date (including Day 0), the appropriate number of test pieces were removed from the static
chamber, each placed in approximately 30 mL sterile buffer, and extracted by shaking using a vortex or
wrist action shaker. The extract was diluted if needed and plated on agar media to determine the
numbers of CPU.
2.2.5 Calculation of Mold Resistance
Changes in the numbers of CPU over time were quantified. The logic number of CPUs from test date x
were compared to the logic number of CPU from Day 0 as follows:
A logjo CPU = logjo CFUdate x - logjo CFUDay 0
where:
A CPU = the change in logw CPU between a test date (x) and Day 0
logio Grille x = number of CPU logio on test date x
log jo CFUDay 0 = number of CPU Iog10 on Day 0
The standard error of the means between the start date and the test date gives the statistical significance
of the differences.
2.3 SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS AND ISSUES
The verification organization requested information from the vendor that would, along with the test
results for microbial resistance, assist in estimating impacts on solid waste disposal due to replacing
building materials less frequently. Information was also requested on chemical additives that are
claimed to confer microbial resistance. Also, the vendor was asked to provide any additional
information relative to the environmental sustainability of the product such as recyclability/reusability of
the product and disposability of the product and use of renewable resources or other criteria the vendor
deemed relevant to the environmental sustainability of the product.
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
3.0 RESULTS
3.1 MOLD RESISTANCE
The results for the mold resistance tests are shown in Table 3-1. Growth is measured by culture and is
defined as at least a 1 logio increase in culturable organism over the baseline which was determined on
DayO.
Table 3-1. Log10 CPUs for test material (Armacell) and reference material (insulation) on each
test date (Mean ± SD)
Armacell
Week
0
1
6
12
A. versi co lor
85% ERH
4.5 ±0.3
4.1 ±0.2
3.1 ±0.3
3.0 ±0.2
S. chartarum
100% ERH
5.1 ±0.1
3.5 ±0.8
3.5 ±0.3
3.3 ±0.4
Growth of Naturally
Occurring Fungi
100% ERH
NG
NG
NG
NG
Reference Material
Week
0
1
6
12
A. versi co lor
85% ERH
4.6 ±0.4
3.8 ±0.3
3.2 ±0.3
3.0 ±0.5
S. chartarum
100% ERH
5.0 ±0.2
5.0 ±0.1
4.3 ±1.0
4.2 ±0.9
Growth of Naturally
Occurring Fungi
100% ERH
< 3.2 ± 0.0*
< 3.2 ± 0.0*
4.8 ±2.0
4.9 ±2.3
NG = No Growth
* = < 3.2 indicates 0 CPU detected at the minimum detection limit
The numbers of CPUs on each test and reference piece were Logio transformed and the mean and
standard deviation calculated. The initial concentration is in the row labeled week 0 (day 0 inoculum).
The results for the test organisms, A. versicolor and S. chartarum are in columns two and three. The
fourth column gives the CPUs for the fungi (naturally occurring) that were on the unsterilized surface of
the reference material at the initiation of the test.
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
Figure 3-1 shows the log change in
A. versicolor and Figure 3-2 shows
the log change in Stachybotrys
chartarum on both the test and
reference materials as well as the
growth of naturally occurring fungi
on the reference material.
Neither the test material nor the
reference material inoculated with
A. versicolor and incubated at 85%
ERH showed growth during the 12
weeks of the test. It was important
to check that none of the changes
made to the test material to make it
mold resistant actually enhanced
the ability of mold to grow over the
reference material.
4nn -r
.uu
— i -2 nn -
— ' O.UU
u_
0 ?nn -
CD Z.UU
en
m -1 nn .
1 .UU
O
o) n nn -
x' U.UU
_i
^ nn -
- 1 .UU
9 nn -
T T
1 1
4- _T_
±
T JL.
TT 1
UJ
0 1 Week 6 12
• Aspergillus on Armacell
n Aspergillus on Reference Material
Figure 3-1. Log change in Aspergillus versicolor
inoculated on the test material over 12 weeks on the
insulation reference material and Armacell.
Neither the test material nor the
reference material inoculated with
S. chartarum and incubated at
100% ERH showed growth during
the 12 weeks of the test. The
growth of a variety of fungal
species on some pieces (naturally
occurring on the sample) made it
difficult to accurately assess the S.
chartarum growth on the reference
material. At Day 0 the numbers of
naturally occurring fungi were
below the detection limit on both
the test and the reference materials.
However, the growth of the
naturally occurring fungi on the
reference material became a notable
quantity by week 6.
A nn -,
— > ^ nn
— ' O.UU
u_
^ 9 nn -
CD ^.UU
en
c 1 nn -
CO I .UU
.c
_ n nn .
0
1 nn -
- I .UU
9 nn -
-r T
1 ±
^f-
$-
\ T 1 J.
y
, , ,-
T
0 1 Week 6 12
• Stachybotrys on Armacell
n Stachybotrys on Reference Material
• Naturally occuring fungi on Reference Material
Figure 3-2. Log change in Stachybotrys chartarum
inoculated on the test material over 12 weeks on the
insulation reference material and Armacell.
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
3.2 EMISSIONS OF VOCs AND FORMALDEHYDE
The emissions of VOCs and formaldehyde test results are presented in the Table 3-2. A summary of the
method is found in Appendix A14.
Table 3-2. Test results for VOCs and formaldehyde emissions from Armacell
VOCs and Formaldehyde Emissions*
Emission Types
Total VOCs
Formaldehyde
Individual VOCs
Minimum emission results
< 0.5 mg/m3
<0.1 ppm
<0.1 TLV
Individual pollutants must produce an air concentration level no greater than 1/10 the threshold limit
value (TLV) industrial workplace standard (Reference: American Conference of Government Industrial
Hygienists, 6500 Glenway, Building D-7, Cincinnati, OH 45211-4438.
3.3 SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
Sustainability is an important consideration in use of microbial resistant building materials. Armacell
supplied the following information about the Sustainability of the AP Armaflex Black insulation
material:
Armaflex is made with Microban antimicrobial product protection. The MSDS for Microban is
included as an attachment to this report.
Armacell is the first manufacturer of flexible technical insulation materials in the world to
present an ecobalance analysis (Life Cycle Assessment): 140 times more energy is saved through
the use of Armaflex products than is needed for the production, transport and disposal of the
products
Armflex is manufactured without the use of CFC's, HFC's or HCFC's.
Indoor Air Quality-friendly: Fiber-free, formaldehyde-free, low VOCs, nonparticulating
Armacell's environmental policy includes the principle of avoiding and reducing waste,
recycling and using environmentally-friendly disposal methods.
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
4.0 DATA QUALITY ASSESSMENT
The quality assurance officer has reviewed the test results and the quality control data and has concluded
that the data quality objectives given in the approved Test/QA plan and shown in Table 4 have been
attained.
The DQO for the critical measurement, quantitation of fungal growth on an individual test date, is found
in Table 4-1.
Mold
Resistance
Table 4-1. Data quality objectives
'arametei
Quantitation of
fungal growth on
an individual test
date
± 5-fold
difference
Accuracy
10% of the plates will
be counted by a
second operator.
± 20% agreement
between the operators
100%
This verification statement discusses two aspects of Mold-Resistant Building Material Testing, mold
resistance and emissions of VOCs and formaldehyde. Users of this technology may wish to consider
other performance parameters such as fire resistance, service life and cost when selecting a building
material.
According to the test/QA plan1, this verification statement is valid for three years following the last
signature added on the verification statement.
10
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
5.0 REFERENCES
1. RTI (Research Triangle Institute). 2008. Test/QA Plan for Mold-Resistant Building Material
Testing. Research Triangle Park, NC. http://www.epa.gov/etv/este.html
2. Morey, P.R., 1988, "Microorganisms in Buildings and HVAC Systems: A Summary of 21
Environmental Studies," Proceedings of the ASHRAE Conference on Indoor Air Quality, American
Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA, pp 10-24.
3. Reynolds, SJ,, AJ. Steifel, and C.E. McJilton, 1990, Elevated Airborne Concentration of Fungi in
Residential and Office Environments, American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, Vol. 51,
pp 601-604.
4. Leese, K.E., E.G. Cole, and J.D. Neefus, 1992, Biocide Mitigation of a Mold Contaminated
Building: An Initial Preventive Approach, Proceedings, American Industrial Hygiene Association
Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
5. Kozak, P.P., et al, 1980, Currently Available Methods for Home Mold Surveys. II. Examples of
Problem Homes Surveyed, Annals of Allergy, Vol. 45, pp 167-176.
6. Garrett, M.H., Rayment, P.R., Hooper, M.A., Abramson, M.J., and Hooper, B.M. 1998, Indoor
airborne fungal spores, house dampness and associations with environmental factors and respiratory
health in children, Clinical and Experimental Allergy: 28: 459-467.
7. Rylander, R. and Etzel, R., 1999, Indoor mold and children's health. Environmental Health
Perspectives Supplements: 107: 465-517.
8. Gent, J.F., Ren, P., Belanger, K., Triche, E., Bracken, M.B., Holford, T.R., and Leaderer, B.P.,
2002, Levels of household mold associated with respiratory symptoms in the first year of life in a
cohort at risk for asthma. Environmental Health Perspectives: 110: A781-A786.
9. ASTM D6329-98(2003), Standard Guide for Developing Methodology for Evaluating the Ability of
Indoor Materials to Support Microbial Growth Using Static Environmental Chambers, American
Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, PA.
10. Foarde, K.K. and M.Y. Menetrez. 2002, Evaluating the Potential Efficacy of Three
Antifungal Sealants of Duct Liner and Galvanized Steel as Used in HVAC Systems. Journal
of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology. 29:3 8-43.
11. Foarde, K.K. and J.T. Hanley. 2001, Determine the Efficacy of Antimicrobial Treatments of
Fibrous Air Filters. ASHRAE Transactions. Volume 107, Part 1. 156-170.
12. Chang, J.C.S., K.K. Foarde, and D.W. VanOsdell. 1995, Growth Evaluation of Fungi
(Penicillium andAspergillus spp.) On Ceiling Tile. Atmospheric Environment. 29:2331
2337.
11
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
13. Foarde, K., E. Cole, D. VanOsdell, D. Bush, D. Franke and J. Chang. 1992, Characterization of
Environmental Chambers for Evaluating Microbial Growth on Building Materials. In: IAQ '92
Environments for People, proceedings; 185-190.
14. ASTM. 2006. D5116-06, Standard Guide for Small Scale Environmental Chamber Determinations
of Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/Products, American Society for Testing and
Materials, West Conshohocken, PA.
12
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
Appendix A
VOCs and Formaldehyde Emissions Testing
A- 1
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
EMISSIONS REPORT FOR AP ARMAFLEX BLACK MATERIAL
A single 7"x7" sample of AP Armaflex Black material was tested in the small (52.7 L capacity)
emissions chamber subjected to an air exchange rate of 1 hr"1. After equilibration of the sample for 6 hr,
sequential samples for VOCs and carbonyls were collected from the chamber effluent for 20 and 120
minutes, yielding collection volumes of approximately 1.5 and 10 L for VOCs and 10 and 60 L for
carbonyls. In addition to the test material, a chamber blank and emissions from a positive control
material (vinyl show curtain liner) were also collected.
VOC samples were collected on Carbopack B cartridges and were analyzed by GC/MS on a DB-5
column programmed from 40E-225E at 5E/min. Calibration standards were prepared at two levels by
flash loading of a VOC mixture in methylene chloride onto Carbopack B. In addition to quantitation of
the individual analytes, total VOCs (TVOC) were determined by summing the integrated peak areas in
the samples and blanks between the retention times of hexane and hexadecane. Two specific analytes, 4-
phenylcyclohexene and styrene, were sought in each sample. Neither compound was detected in the
samples or blanks. All detected analytes were quantitated against the toluene peak in the standards. No
mathematical correction for the blanks was performed.
Carbonyl samples were collected on DNPH cartridges and were analyzed by HPLC/UV (365 nm) on a
Supelcosil™ LC-18 column (Supelco #358298, 25 cm x 4.6 mm). The mobile phase consisted of (A)
45:55 acetonitrile:water and (B) 75:25 acetonitrile:water, using a 30 minute gradient from A to B and
held at B for 5 minutes at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Each cartridge was extracted by solid phase
extraction (SPE) with 4 mL of acetonitrile and brought to a final volume of 5 mL with acetonitrile.
Instrument calibration was accomplished using solutions prepared from a purchased aldehyde/ketone
DNPH mix solution (15 |ig/mL as formaldehyde, Supelco 47285-U) in acetonitrile. A six-point
calibration curve was prepared with analyte amounts ranging from 18.8 to 600 ng/mL. Individual
carbonyls were quantitated against the curve and corrected for blanks.
The results of the emission tests for VOCs and carbonyls are presented in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.
For all samples, excluding the positive control, levels of VOCs and carbonyls were extremely small,
near the detection limit for the method, and comparable to the levels found in the blanks.
A-2
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
Table 1. VOC emission results3 for AP Armaflex Black® Material
Toluene TVOC
Chamber Chamber
Cone, (mg/m3) Cone, (mg/m3)
Chamber Blankb
<0.001
0.0470
Toluene
Emission
Factor
(mg/m2-hr)
0.0007
TVOC
Emission
Factor
(mg/m2-hr)
0.0829
Positive Control15
0.000
0.6708
0.000
1.1600
AP Armaflex Black0
<0.001
0.042 (0.030)
<0.001
0.074 (0.053)
Mean (Standard deviation)
b Single determination
c Mean of 6 determinations
.®
Table 2. Carbonyl emission results3 for AP Armaflex Black Material
trmaldehyde
hamber
.one. (mg/m3)
Total
Carbonyls
Chamber
Formaldehyde
Emission
Factor
Cone, (mg/m ) (mg/m -hr)
O.001
0.004
<0.001
Total
Carbonyls
Emission
Factor
(mg/m2-hr)
0.007
O.001
0.013
<0.001
0.023
AP Armaflex Black
0.001 (0.003)
0.012(0.010)
0.002 (0.006)
0.021 (0.019)
a Mean (Standard deviation)
b Single determination
0 Mean of 6 determinations
1 Standard Guide for Small-Scale Environmental Chamber Determinations of Organic Emissions from
Indoor Materials/Products. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) document D5116-97,
2008.
A-3
-------
RTI International/EPA
April 2011
9 _
Standard Operating Procedure for the Determination of Carbonyl and VOC Emissions from Building
Materials Using a Small Environmental Chamber. RTI International document: EAR-LAB-001, 2010.
3 Quality Manual for the AIHA Accredited Laboratory No. 100600. RTI International document:
RTI/0290365/08-01, January 2010.
4 Adsorbent Tube Injector System Operation Manual, Sigma-Aldrich/Supelco, Available at:
http://www.youngwha.com/tech/upload/ATIS_system_T702019.pdf, 2010.
5 Standard Operating Procedure for the Analysis of Volatile Organic Chemicals By Thermal
Desorption/GC/MS, RTI International document: EAR-GLC-004, 2010.
6 Standard Test Method for Determination of Formaldehyde and Other Carbonyl Compounds in Air
(Active Sampler Methodology). American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) document D5197-
09, 2009.
7 Standard Operating Procedure for the Extraction and Analysis of Formaldehyde-DNPH from Active
and Passive Media by HPLC, RTI International document: EAR-GLC-003, 2010.
A-4
------- |