Testing indoor air quality

Transcription

1 Testing indoor air quality Testing for concentrations & emission levels Measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

2 Accurate Indoor air quality Pollution is not confined to outdoor air Measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and understanding their degrees of toxicity is vital to staying healthy. VOCs IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH VOCs can be found in everyday home products and common materials found in normal daily activities in the home and place of work. The quality of the air we breathe indoors deserves serious attention, as health issues relating to air quality are increasingly frequent. Assessing therefore the quality of indoor air and measuring any chemical compound emissions from materials found in buildings and home furnishings is a first step to keeping pollutants out of our immediate environment. Exposure to these compounds may be cause for concern. Even low levels of VOCs if inhaled over long periods of time can be harmful. Symptoms of short-term exposure to VOCs include eye, noise and throat irritation, headaches, nausea/vomiting, dizziness and worsening of asthma symptoms. Long-term exposure to high levels of VOCs can increase the risk of cancer, liver and kidney damage and can affect the central nervous system.

3 You know your product Do you know its impact on the quality of air? Test to be sure. testing and expe CONCENTRATIONS & LEVELS OF EMISSION The levels of VOCs entering the atmosphere through emissions determine whether these are acceptable or considered hazardous to human health and to the environment in general. If you are a manufacturer of products, a supplier in a larger supply chain, if you purchase products and materials for your industry or even if you are a consumer, you need to be sure the products you handle are not emitting VOCs. Accurate testing and expert analysis can rate your products and assure you are not contributing to indoor air pollution. TESTING INDOOR AIR QUALITY CTT Group is one of the few accredited laboratories in North America equipped with the test chambers necessary to test for VOC emissions. ISO recognized CTT Group laboratory performs tests according to the highest standards including ASTM and ISO. In addition to its state-of-the-art facility, CTT Group s highly skilled personnel can analyse and interpret results and provide counsel and solutions to making your products safer for the environment. In addition to testing and analysing, CTT Group can also help you with the development of new products and the elaboration of ECO LABELS for your specific industry. A SHORT GLOSSARY Volatile organic compounds are carbon-based chemicals that may evaporate at room temperature. In addition to offering accurate and precise testing, reliable analysis and developing new eco-friendly products, CTT Group can help you market your product with confidence, knowing you are not impacting the environment.

4 The chemistry behind VOC testing CTT Group has recently invested in a state-of the-art VOC / Toxicity Testing Laboratory. rt analysis It is equipped with cutting edge technology that can: 2. TRAP AND EXTRACT VOCs COLLECTED (automated thermal desorber) EXTRACT AND COLLECT EMISSIONS (emission chamber & ISO-Certified cleanroom) SEPARATE AND ANALYZE THE INDIVIDUAL VOCs (gas chromatography) 4. PROVIDE THE PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF VOCs EMITTED 5. IDENTIFY AND MEASURE EACH VOC COLLECTED (mass spectrometry)

5 Sources of VOCs While the petroleum and gas industries or the transportation sectors are more likely polluters, VOCs can be found in everyday products we consider harmless. Here is a short list of potential sources of VOCs. PRODUCTS PAINTS & SOLVENTS CONSTRUCTION & INSULATING MATERIALS TEXTILES, CARPETS & DRAPERIES AUTOMOBILE COMPONENTS POLYMERS & PLASTICS FURNITURE & UPHOLSTERY ELECTRONIC DEVICES & APPLIANCES CLEANING PRODUCTS COMPOSITE WOOD PRODUCTS FLOOR COVERING MATERIALS PROCESSES : SURFACE TREATMENT DYEING LAMINATING & COATING PRINTING PROTECTING DRY CLEANING

6 CTT GROUP 3000 Avenue Boullé Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec Canada J2S 1H9 Telephone: Toll free: Fax: info@gcttg.com CTT GROUP ONTARIO 175 Longwood Road South McMaster Innovation Park Suite 416A-5 Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8P 0A1 Telephone: Direct Line: info@gcttg.com Speak to our VOC / TOXICITY LABORATORY DIRECTOR Amine Fourati, Ph. D. AFourati@gcttg.com FOLLOW US ON : vascodesign.com _ D Printed in Canada