A routine method for the determination of the TVOC content in wallcoverings using headspace gas-chromatography

A method for the fast routine analysis of the total content of volatile organic compounds in wallcoverings and paper products was developed, using headspace gas-chromatography for quantification. 57 wallcoverings of different types were investigated. Typical components were toluene, methyl-ethyl ketone, methyl-iso-butyl ketone, n-butyl acetate and iso-butyl acetate, all compounds being used as industrial solvents. The TVOC concentrations are calculated in toluene-carbon equivalents and ranged from 0.31 mu g/g to 1789 mu g/g with an average value of 123.22 mu g/g and a median of 20.37 mu g/g. To obtain an estimation of VOC-concentrations in indoor air, 10 selected wallcoverings were also analyzed in a 1 m(3) climate test chamber. A correlation between headspace data and chamber concentrations could not be observed, which might be a result of increased analytical uncertainties at low emission rates under chamber conditions.