Volatile species produced during the ultraviolet irradiation of a rigid, po
ly(vinyl chloride) construction panel have been established as a function o
f irradiation time. Residual organic and chloroorganic compounds were detec
ted in the polymer surface after irradiation. Similar species are also dire
ctly released during irradiation. In both cases, these were identified and
quantified by gas chromatography, with mass spectrometry detection. Rates o
f volatilisation of organic and chloroorganic compounds were measured direc
tly during accelerated exposure conditions and dropped sharply with irradia
tion time. This drop may be attributable to the cross-linking of the irradi
ated surface which becomes chlorine deficient and rich in titanium dioxide
pigment (rutile). In contrast, samples exposed to sunlight did not undergo
surface cross-linking but did thermally desorb volatiles similar to laborat
ory exposed samples. Crown copyright (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science
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