MEASUREMENTS OF VOLATILE ORGANIC
COMPOUNDS AND PARTICLES DURING
APPLICATION OF LATEX PAINT WITH AN AIRLESS
SPRAYER
Roy Fortmann, Nancy Roache, and Angelita Ng
ARCADIS Geraghty & Miller, Inc., P.O. Box 13109, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
John C.S. Chang, Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
ABSTRACT
Paint may be applied indoors by a variety of methods including brushing, rolling, and
spraying. Application of paint by spraying may result in exposure to both volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) and aerosols. Experiments were conducted at EPA's Indoor Air Quality
Research House to measure airborne concentrations of VOCs and particles during, and following,
application of latex wall paint by spraying. Latex paint was applied to all four walls of a closed
bedroom (30 m3 volume) by a professional painter using a commercial electric airless sprayer.
VOCs were collected on Tenax® and XAD®-7 sorbents and analyzed by gas chromatography.
Total suspended particles (TSPs), particles with diameters less than 10 |im (PMio), and particles
with diameters less than 2.5 (^m (PM2,s) were collected on filters and measured gravimetrically.
Particle concentrations and size distributions were measured with an Aerosizer Particle Monitor.
The VOC concentrations in the room were consistent with results from previous tests
involving application of a similar paint with a roller. Ethylene glycol concentrations peaked at
5,500 ug/m3 approximately 4 hours after application. Eight hours after application, concentrations
of 2,2,4-trimethyl-l,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate peaked at 13,500 yg/m3. During a 20-minute
period of spray application, the average TSPs concentration was 49.7 mg/m3. The PMio and PM2 5
concentrations were 21.9 and 4.62 mg/m3, respectively. During a second test with a 15-minute
application period, the TSPs concentration was 38.7 mg/m3, PMio was 19.9 mg/m3, and PM2.5 was
0.8 mg/m3. The particles were predominately in the 4 to 6 \im diameter size fraction during the
spray application period. Particle concentrations dropped quickly after the application ended. The
measurements showed that painters may be exposed to substantially elevated particle
concentrations, at least for part of the work day, particularly if spraying is done in closed rooms.
INTRODUCTION
Interior wall paint may represent a significant source of human exposure to volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) because of the large volume of paint applied inside occupied buildings and the
frequency of re-application during the life of a building. In recent years, the trend has been to use
latex paints for interior walls. Based on survey data, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency '
estimated the number of users of latex paint indoors was over 67 million people between ages 18
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and 65. EPA estimated that over 44 million of the indoor users had used latex paint in the 12
months prior to the survey. The median duration of use was 3 hours with a median use of 128 oz
(3,6 L). It was also of interest that the estimated time in the room after the last use of paint was a
median of 5 minutes, but ranged from less than 5 to 240 minutes.
Wall paint is applied in offices and residences by do-it-yourself consumers and professional
painters. Wall paint may be applied by brush, roller, or sprayer. In its RM-1 risk assessment for
wall paint', the EPA did not determine the percentage of paint applied by spraying.
The VOCs in paints and their emissions have been identified in a number of studies 1<2'3'4'5.
Predominant VOCs include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butoxyethanol,
2(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol, and 2,2,4-trimethyl-l,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate. Formaldehyde,
acetaldehyde, and benzaldehyde have also been identified in latex paint3, The emissions of these
compounds from painted gypsum wallboard have been characterized in small chamber tests3'6 and
the EPA research house7. Data from these studies can be used to estimate human exposure to
VOCs due to inhalation of the compounds in the gas phase.
During application of paint by spraying, painters and building occupants may be exposed to
constituents in paint by inhalation of VOCs in the gas phase and inhalation of paint droplets due to
overspray from the spray applicator. However, data are lacking on exposure due to inhalation of
paint droplets. A study of limited scope was performed to collect initial data on concentrations of
VOCs and particles in a bedroom during spray application of latex paint. The objective was to
gain a better understanding of the impact of paint spray applications on indoor air quality in a
residence. The results of two tests are reported in this paper.
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
Experiments to measure gas-phase and particle concentrations during spray application of
latex paint were performed at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Indoor
Environment Management Branch (IEMB) Indoor Air Quality Research House in Gary, NC. Two
tests were performed at the house. The tests involved application of wall paint by a professional
painter in a closed bedroom. Air samples were collected during the paint application and for
approximately 30 hours following application. The experimental methods are described below.
Research House and Test Room
The IEMB Research House is an unoccupied single-family residential dwelling of standard
wood frame construction. It is a single-story ranch-style house with a floor area of approximately
121 m2 (1300 ft2) with a volume of 300 m3. The house layout consists of a kitchen, dining room,
living room, and den at one end of the house. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms are located at
the other end of the house. The house is fully instrumented for measurements of environmental
parameters, air exchange rates, gaseous pollutants, and particulate matter. The attached garage
serves as the laboratory for the research facility.
The spray paint tests were performed in the front corner bedroom, a room with a volume of
approximately 30 m3. For tests with paint, the approach has been to apply new gypsum wallboard
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onto furring strips placed on the existing walls. With this approach, the same types (and lot) of
substrate can be used in different tests, and the source of VOC emissions can be removed from the
house after the test is completed. The edges of the sheets of gypsum wallboard were placed close
together, but were not taped. All walls in the room were covered with new. gypsum board,
including the closet, to obtain a total application area of 29,5 m2. Samples were collected at
approximately breathing height (1.55 m above the floor) near the center of the room, near the front
window, and near the painter. To prevent interference with the painter's movements, the painter
did not wear a personal sampler. As an alternative, a technician collected samples at locations near
the painter during the application period.
The spray application was performed under "worst case" conditions, with the bedroom
door closed during application. The heating and air-conditioning system was not operated during
the tests. No windows were open.
Measurement Parameters and Methods
Measurements were performed during application of the paint and for approximately 30
hours after application to measure VOCs emitted from the paint and aerosols generated by the
spray application. The measurement parameters included:
• Total Suspended Particles (TSPs) - Collected on a 37-mm filter in a standard
industrial hygiene plastic sampling cassette at a nominal flow rate of 5 L/min.
• PM2 5 - Collected on tared Teflon® filters (2-um pore size) with size-selective
impactors operated at 20 L/min.
« PMio - Collected on tared Teflon® filters (2-um pore size) with size-selective
impactors operated at 20 L/min.
• Particle concentrations and size distribution - Measured with a real-time laser particle
measuring system, described below.
• VOCs - VOCs in the gas phase were collected on tubes containing Tenax® TA
sorbent using a low-volume sampling pump. Samples during the application period
were collected using a glass wool prefilter to prevent paint droplets from depositing
in the Tenax® tube,
* VOCs - Air samples for analysis of VOCs were also collected on XAD®-7 sampling
cartridges (SKC 226-57) during the initial 1.5 hours of the experiment. The samplers
consisted of a glass fiber filter and sorbent bed. The cartridges collected the total
mass of VOC that might be inhaled, including the gas-phase VOCs on the XAD® and
the VOCs in the droplets on the filter.
• Paint Mass Sprayed- The amount of paint applied was determined gravimetrically by
weighing the paint and can before and after application.
• Mass of Paint on the Wall - The mass of dry paint applied to the walls was estimated
by weighing 12 coupon foils that were attached to the 4 walls.
Particle mass collected on filters was determined gravimetrically. Filters were weighed in
the controlled-environment weighing facility following standard practice.
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Real-time measurements of particle concentrations were performed with an Aerosizer
Particle Measuring System (Amherst Process Instruments, Hadley, MA). The Aerosizer is a
"time-of-flight" measurement device capable of measuring individual particles with an
aerodynamic diameter in the size range of 0.5 to 700 jam.
VOCs were sampled on both Tenax® and XAD®-7 cartridges. The Tenax® method is
ft
based on EPA Compendium Method TO-17 for sampling on sorbent tubes . The XAD®-7
sampling and analyses were performed based on procedures described in the N1OSH Method 5523
for Glycols9. During these tests, the filter and backup sorbent section were combined and extracted
together to obtain the total mass of glycols on the sampler. Analyses were performed by gas
chromatography/flame ionization detection (GC/FED). Tenax® sorbent tube samples were
analyzed by thermal desorption/GC/FID using a Hewlett Packard HP 5890 GC system interfaced
with an Entech 5100 thermal tube desorber/concentrator system. Chromatography was performed
with a 30-n capillary column with a polyethylene glycol stationary phase.
Description of the Paint and Application Method
The paint used in the experiments was a commercially available interior latex flat wall
paint purchased from a local retail outlet. Prior to use in the study, the bulk paint was analyzed by
gas chromatography/mass spectrometry following EPA Method 311 to identify and quantify the
major constituents in the paintI0. The predominant constituents included; ethylene glycol (41.3
mg/g), propylene glycol (0,34 mg/g), dipropylene glycol (0.58 mg/g), 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol
(4.30 mg/g), and 2,2,4-trimethyl-l,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate (11.2 mg/g). The results
showed that it was a conventional paint, not a "low-VOC" paint. The total solids in the paint were
determined gravimetrically to be 55% by weight.
The paint was applied with a commercially available electric airless sprayer that is
commonly used by professional painters. A professional painter set up the sprayer and performed
the application during the tests. The painter and technicians wore respirators while in the room.
The paint application rate was based on the painter's judgement that the paint coverage was
adequate on the wallboard surface. A single coat of paint was applied in each test. Therefore, the
amount of paint applied in each test was not controlled and varied between the tests. During the
first test, 4.95 kg of paint was sprayed on the new gypsum wallboard. The estimated dry weight
sprayed was 2.72 kg. The total estimated mass of dry paint on the 29.5 m2 of wall surface was 2.66
± 0.53 kg based on measurements of the dry paint mass on 12 foil coupons randomly placed on the
4 walls. During the second test, the latex paint was applied to the same wallboard that had been
painted in the first test. The application rate was somewhat lower, with a total of 3.74 kg of paint
sprayed. The estimated dry paint mass on the walls, determined by weighing the foil coupons, was
2.07 ± 0.74 kg. The high variability of the mass determined on the coupons suggests a non-
uniform coating on the wall, although visually the paint coverage appeared to be adequate in all
areas. The estimated dry weight of paint on the walls was not substantially different from the
estimated mass of paint sprayed, suggesting that there was little overspray. However, observation
during paint application indicated visual overspray in the air during application and paint on the
drop cloth on the floor following application.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Tests were performed to measure concentrations of VOCs and particles under worst-case
conditions in a closed room during the paint spray application period and during the day following
application to gain a better understanding of the impact of paint spraying on indoor air quality.
VOC Measurement Results
VOC concentrations measured during the second experiment, in which latex paint was
applied by spray application, are summarized in Figures 1 and 2, The concentrations of the
predominant VOCs in the paint were consistent with previous results of latex paint tests conducted
at the Research House7. The ethylene glycol concentrations peaked at 5,540 ug/m3 approximately
4 hours after the application, and 2)2,4-trimethyl-l,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate peaked at
approximately 13,500 ug/m3 at 8 hours after the application. In a previous test at the Research
House, a similar paint was applied with a roller to the walls in the same bedroom. During that test,
ethylene glycol peaked at 2,520 ug/m3 5 hours after application, and the 2,2,4-trimethyl-l,3-
pentanediol monoisobutyrate peaked at 7,610 ug/m3 7 hours after application, but the door of the
front corner bedroom was open and the air handler fan was operated continuously in the test, which
resulted in lower VOC concentrations in the bedroom and dilution of the VOCs in the 300 m3
volume of the house.
The VOC measurement results depicted in Figures 1 and 2 are concentrations measured
with Tenax® sorbent tubes that had been fitted with a glass wool prefilter on the inlet to prevent
droplets of paint from being collected on the Tenax®, This approach was taken to avoid
significant contamination of the thermal desorber and concentrator system. The results most likely
represent the concentrations of VOCs to which a painter would be exposed if the painter were
wearing a dust mask that prevented inhalation of particles. After the spray application was
completed, a limited number of samples were collected simultaneously with Tenax® sorbent tubes
with and without the glass wool prefilter. The concentrations measured with Tenax® tubes fitted
with the glass wool prefilter were 20 to 35% lower than samples collected without the prefilter.
Samples were also collected with tubes containing XAD®-7 sorbent media. With this method, both
paint droplets and gas-phase VOCs were collected on the media and recovered in the methanol
extract. Three samples were collected that had concurrent XAD® and Tenax® samples. During
the period of paint application, the concentrations of VOCs measured at the center of the room
with the XAD® ranged from 2 to 7 times higher than the measurement results for samples
collected with Tenax® using the prefilter. These results were consistent with the expectation that
paint droplets would be collected on the XAD® and that the VOCs would be recovered from the
droplets in the methanol extract. As discussed below, the concentrations of VOCs in the paint
aerosol during the application period could be substantially higher than the VOC concentrations in
the gas phase.
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Figure 1. Concentrations of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol during a spray paint test
16000
12000 --
C
•B 8000
2
c 4000
o
U
0
0
H h
10 15 20
Elapsed Time (hours)
25
30
Figure 2. Concentrations of 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol (BEE) and 2,2,4-trimethyl-l ,3-pentanediol
monoisobutyrate (TMP) during a spray paint test
16000
0
10 15 20
Elapsed Time (hours)
25
30
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Gravimetric Particle Measurements
Two tests were performed to measure particle concentrations in the room due to application
of latex paint by spraying. Integrated air samples were collected throughout each test to measure
TSPs, PMio, and PMa.s- Results for the first test are presented in Table 1. The TSPs concentration
during the 20-minute application period was 40,9 mg/m3 at the center of the room and 39.6 mg/m3
near the front wall of the room, suggesting good mixing in the small room. The TSPs
concentration in the air sample collected near the painter's breathing zone was somewhat higher at
49.7 mg/m3. Concentrations of TSPs dropped quickly after the spray application ended. The
average concentration of TSPs for the period from 2 to 8 hours after the start of the test was only
0.06 mg/m3. The concentrations of PMio and PM2 5 were 21.9 and 4.62 mg/m3, respectively,
during the application period. Like TSPs, the concentrations decreased rapidly after the application
ended.
Table 1. Concentrations of TSPs, PMio, and PM2.5 in the closed bedroom during the first spray
paint test.
Sampling Location
Room Center
Room Center
Near Window
Near Painter
Room Center
Near Window
Room Center
Room Center
Room Center
Near Window
Time Period
Pre-test
0-20 min
0-20 min
0-20 min
0.75-1. 75 hr
0.75-1. 75 hr
2-8 hr
8-24 hr
24-30 hr
24-30 hr
TSPs (mg/m3)
0.03
40.9
39.6
49.7
2.89
3.00
0.06
b
BDLC
0.03
PM,0 (mg/m3)
0.04
21.9
a
a
2.99
a
0.05
0.02
0.01
a
PM2.s (mg/m3)
0.02
4.62
a
a
0.06
a
0.04
0.01
0.01
a
and PM2.5 not collected at these locations
b Sample lost during collection period
c Mass on filter below detection limit of 0.003 mg/m1
The TSPs concentration of 49.7 mg/m3 measured near the painter during the spray
application of the paint was substantially higher than the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) Time Weighted Average (TWA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15
mg/m3 for nuisance dust (defined as total dust) '. The PMio concentration was also higher than
the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGffl) Threshold Limit Value
(TLV) of 10 mg/m3 for inhalable nuisance particulates ' . The PMj.s concentration was higher than
the 3 mg/m3 TLV for respirable nuisance particulates n. However, the reader is cautioned that the
PELs and TLVs apply to the average concentration during an 8-hr workday exposure period, not
the short 20-min application period used in this test. There are no Short-Term Exposure Limits
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(STEL) or Ceiling concentrations defined for nuisance participates by OSHA or the ACGIH. The
PELs and TLVs are presented here only to provide reference values.
Results of measurements of particulate matter during the second test are depicted in Figure
3. The time "0.0" measurements were for air samples collected in the room immediately prior to
the test. There had been some activity in the room due to sampler setup and room preparation.
Concentrations of TSPs were less than 0.1 mg/m3 in the background samples During the second
test, the application period was 15 minutes. The TSPs concentration of 37.2 mg/m3 measured in
the second test was similar to the 40.9 mg/m3 measured in the first test, but the concentration of
38.7 mg/m3 near the painter was lower than in the first test. The PMio concentration of 19.9 mg/m3
was also similar to the concentration of 21.9 mg/m3 measured in the first test. But, the PVh.j
concentration of 0.83 mg/m3 was substantially lower. The reason for the difference in PM? ? mass
levels between the two tests could not be determined. As shown in the figure, the particle
concentrations quickly dropped after the spray application was completed. Particle concentrations
were near background levels in the samples collected during the time period from 5.6 to 11.6 hours
after the start of the test, labeled as elapsed time of 8.6 hours in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Concentrations of TSPs, PMio, and PMj 5 measured during a spray paint test
100
0.001
0.2
1.0 3.6 8.6
Elapsed Time (hr)
16.5
25.7
When interpreting the particle mass data, note that, although the samples collected with the
size-selective impactors are reported as PMio and PMj.s, the impactors have not been tested to
determine their collection efficiency for paint droplets. Their performance and cut-point may
differ substantially from those when used to collect particles in ambient air.
8
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Also note that the particle mass concentrations reported for these tests represent particle dry
weight. The paniculate matter on the filters was dried at 110 °C for 16 hours. Then the filters
were conditioned in a controlled-environment weigh room for 24 hours prior to weighing. The
latex paint was determined to be approximately 55% solids by weight. Therefore, the wet weight
of particle mass on the filters at the time of collection may have been approximately 1.8 times
higher than that reported.
Particle Concentrations and Size Distributions
During the second test, an Aerosizer Particle Monitor was used to measure the particle
concentrations and size distributions during and following the spray application of the paint.
In order to prevent the instrument from becoming overloaded with paint droplets, a limited number
of measurements were performed during the spray application period. Measurements were
performed after an initial test spray, after spraying one wall, after spraying a second wall, and after
the paint application was completed. After the spray application was completed, particle
concentrations were measured continuously for the next 30 hours.
Figure 4 depicts the total particle concentration during the first 7 hours of the test. The
concentration was nearly 1,000,000 particles/m3 in the room prior to the start of paint spraying.
The first peak in Figure 4 was the result of a short test application on one wall The particle
concentrations increased rapidly once the spray paint application started, to a peak of 195,000,000
particles/m3 near the end of the 15-min application period. Particle concentrations decreased
rapidly after the application ended. Approximately 3.5 hours after the end of the application, the
particle concentrations in the closed room had decreased to the background concentrations
measured prior to the test.
The size distribution of the particles prior to, during, and following the spray application is
depicted in Figure 5. Prior to the start of the application, the mean aerodynamic diameter of the
particles was nearly 2 ^m. Immediately after the first test spray, which consisted of less than 30
seconds of spraying, the particle size measured with the Aerosizer increased to approximately 5.5
(im. Following this initial measurement, air was sampled from outside the room to ensure that the
instrument was not overloaded with paint droplets. The air outside the room had a mean particle
diameter of less than 2 p,m. Measurements were resumed with the Aerosizer approximately 8
minutes after the start of the application. These measurements are indicated by the increase to the
peak mean aerodynamic diameter of 5.5 p,m. Following the end of the application, the mean
diameter decreased in a profile similar to the decrease in particle concentrations. Within 4 hours,
the mean particle diameter was again nearly 2 jam.
CONCLUSIONS
The particle measurement results show that high concentrations of particles were present in
the closed room during the application of latex paint with an airless sprayer. Painters may be
exposed to elevated concentrations of particles during the application period if proper respiratory
protection is not worn. The results of these tests represent potentially worst-case conditions, in a
closed room. Although the intent of the tests was not to measure a painter's workday exposure, the
data show that a worker could potentially be exposed to concentrations of particles that exceed the
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Figure 4. Total airborne particle concentrations during the second spray paint test
l.OOE+09-z
.2 l.OOE+08-^-
'£
cd
O.
1 .OOE+07 -&
3:
i I .OOE+06 J=-
O i
c :r
o -f.
u
-1
0
234
Elapsed Time (hr)
Figure 5, Geometric mean diameter of particles in the second spray paint test
Prc-
Apphcation
Post-application
-0.34-0.260.01 0.21 0.34 1.0 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.8 3.8 5.0 6.0
Elapsed Time (hr)
10
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current TLV-TWA, depending on the amount of time spent spraying, the ventilation conditions,
and the extent of use of respiratory protection. Inhalation of paint droplets may result in increased
exposure to higher molecular weight, less volatile, water-soluble compounds in the paint. Although
professional painters may wear appropriate respiratory protection, inexperienced painters, for
example homeowners that rent airless sprayers, may not be aware of the potential exposure to high
levels of aerosols during spray application. The tests, however, show that particle concentrations
decreased rapidly after spraying ended. If building occupants remain out of the sprayed area for a
few hours, it is likely that they will not experience any incremental exposure to particles due to
spray application.
During these tests, the painter wore a respirator that had cartridges for protection from both
particle and VOC contaminants. This is not likely to be the type of respiratory protection worn
routinely by painters. Painters may wear cloth or paper dust masks to prevent inhalation of
particles, but the masks are not likely to provide much protection from ethylene glycol and other
volatile constituents emitted from paint. The EPA has reported that hazard risk quotients indicate
concern for chronic risks from 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol for professional painters ]. Results from
these tests showed elevated concentrations of the volatile constituents during, and following, paint
application. The results, which were consistent with previous tests at the Research House7, show
that the concentrations remain elevated for an extended period following paint application, which
will result in extended periods of exposure for building occupants.
The measurements during these tests showed that exposure to the VOCs in the paint could
occur both due to inhalation of the compounds in the gas phase and inhalation of paint droplets.
Substantial VOCs in the airborne paint droplets could contribute to a painter's exposure. For
example, during the application period in the second test, the room-air TSPs concentration was
37.2 mg/m3 dry weight or approximately 67 mg/m3 wet weight of paint aerosol. The concentration
of ethylene glycol in the liquid paint was 41.3 mg/g of paint. Therefore, the concentration of
ethylene glycol in the aerosol during this measurement period would have been approximately 2.8
mg/m3, which was nearly twice the concentration of 1.5 mg/m3 measured in the air samples
collected on Tenax®. The results show the need for appropriate respiratory protection for both
particulate and gas-phase contaminants during spray application of paint.
REFERENCES
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. RM1 Risk Assessment of Wall Paints - Indoor
Screening Cluster, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Washington, DC, May 30,1997.
2. Chang, J.C.S.; Fortmann, R.; Roache, N.; Lao, H. Indoor Air 1999, 9, 253-258.
3. Chang, J.C.S.; Tichenor, B.A.; Guo, Z,; Krebs, K.A. Indoor Air 1997, 7, 241-247.
4. Clausen, P.A. Indoor Air 1993, 3,269-275.
5. Clausen, P.A.; Wolkoff, P.; Host, E. Indoor Air 1991, 1, 562-567.
6. Sparks, L.E.; Guo, Z.; Chang, J.C.S.; Tichenor, B.A. Indoor Air 1999, 9, 10-17.
7. Sparks, L.E.; Guo, Z.; Chang, J.C.S.; Tichenor, B.A. Indoor Air 1999, 9,18-25.
8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In Compendium of Methods for the Determination of
Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air - Second Edition. EPA/625/R-96/010b (NTIS PB99-
172355), Center for Environmental Research Information, Cincinnati, OH, January 1999.
11
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9. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in NIOSHManual of Analytical
Methods, Method 5523, Glycols. August 1994.
10. 40 CFR Part 63, Appendix A. u Method 311 - Analysis of Hazardous Air Pollutant Compounds
in Paints and Coatings by Injection into a Gas Chromatograph" December 7, 1995.
11. ACGIH, Inc. 1999, Guide to Occupational Exposure Values -1999, American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, OH.
12
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NRMRL- RTF- P- 528
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Iraintclions on the reverse before completing
1, REPORT NO.
600/A-00/057
2.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Measurements of Volatile Organic Compounds and
Particles During Application of Latex Paint with an
Airless Sprayer
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7'AUTHOR(S)R. Fortmann, N. Roache, and A. Ng (ARCADIS)
and J. Chang (EPA)
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
ARCADIS Geraghty and Miller, Inc.
P.O. Box 13109
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
68-C9-9201
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
EPA, Office of Research and Development
Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Published paper;3-12/9S
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/13
is.SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES APPCD project officer is John C. S. Chang, Mail Drop 54, 919/
541-3747. For presentation at Engineering Solutions to IAQ Problems, Raleigh, NC,
7/17-19/00. . . . ___^__
16.A8STRACT j^g paper discusses experiments, conducted at EPA's Indoor Air Quality
Research House, to measure airborne concentrations of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) and particles during and following the spray-application of latex wall paint.
(NOTE: Paint may be applied indoors by a variety of methods including brushing,
rolling, and apraying. The spray-application of paint may result in exposure to both
VOCs and aerosols.) Latex paint was applied to all four walls "of a closed 30-cubic-
meter bedroom by a professional painter using a commercial electric airless spray-
er. VGCs were collected on Tenax ©and XAD(g)-7 sorbents and analyzed by gas
chromatography. Total suspended particles and particles with diameters <
10 micrometers (PM10) and < 2. 5 micrometers (PM2.5) were collected on filters
and measured gravimetrically. Particle concentrations and size distributions were
measured with an Aerosizer Particle Monitor. The VOC concentrations in the room
were consistent with results from previous tests involving application of a similar
paint with a roller. The particles were predominantly in the 4-6 micrometer dia-
meter size fraction during the spray application period. Particle concentrations
dropped quickly after the application ended. The measurements showed that painters
may be exposed to substantially elevated particle concentrations.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
COSATI Field/Group
Pollution
Spray Painting
Latex
Organic Compounds
Volatility
Particles
Measurement
Pollution Control
Stationary Sources
indoor Air
Volatile Organic Com-
pounds
Particulate
13B
13 H
11J
07C
20M
14G
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release to Public
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report)
Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
12
20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
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