Emission of reactive compounds and secondary products from wood-based furniture coatings

Emissions of organic fragmentation products, so-called "secondary emission products" and reactive species from wood-based furniture coatings have been studied in 1 m(3) test chambers. the climatic conditions were representati ve of indoor environments. Relevant compounds and compound groups were the wetting agent 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-dicyne-4,7-diol (T4MDD), the plasticise r di-2-ethyl-hexyl-phthalate (DEHP), aliphatic aldehydes, monoterpenes, pho toinitiator fragments, acrylic monomers/reactive solvents and diisocyanate monomers. Such substances may affect human health in several ways. Aliphati c aldehydes and some photoinitiator fragments are of strong odour, while ac rylates and diisocyanates cause irritation of skin, eyes and upper airways. Terpenes and reactive solvents like styrene undergo indoor chemistry in th e presence of ozone, nitrogen oxides or hydroxy radicals. Secondary emissio n products and reactive species can achieve significant indoor concentratio ns. On the other hand, it has been reported that even small quantities can cause health effects. In the cases of indoor studies with special regard to emissions from furniture, chemical analysis should always include these co mpounds. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.