HEALTH-RELATED EVALUATION OF BUILDING PRODUCTS BASED ON CLIMATE CHAMBER TESTS

A procedure is developed for assessing the health effects of the emiss ions from building products. The procedure is based on: emission rates measured in environment test chambers a fixed standard room with fixe d standard conditions a maximum acceptable concentration in the indoor air of each of the chemical compounds emitted, I-v a maximum permissi ble contribution to I-v from building produces. The procedure has two elements: evaluation of the emitted compound alone and evaluation of t he compound together with other compounds and indoor air factors. The evaluation includes odour and health effects of the compounds. The pro cedure has been applied to the emission test results for two building products: a rubber floor covering, and a waterborne acrylic wall paint . Maximum acceptable indoor air concentrations are listed for selected chemical compounds emitted by these two materials.