April 1999 - May 2001
Principal investigators: Jianshun Zhang and Qingyan Chen
Research Assistant: Jinsong Zhang
Sponsor: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Four small-scale test chambers used in sorption tests sitting in a conditioned big box
Building materials are not only a source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) but also affect the transport and removal of indoor VOCs by sorption (adsorption and desorption) on the interior surface. The re-emission of adsorbed VOCs from building materials can elevate VOC concentrations and indoor air quality in buildings during the entire service life of a building. This investigation is to determine accurately the sorption of VOCs by building materials and the impact of sorption on IAQ.