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- NRC Institute for Research in Construction
- NRC Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences
- National Research Council Canada
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Project Leader
Doyun Won
Phone: 613-993-9538
Fax: 613-954-3733
Email: Doyun.Won@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Material Emissions and Indoor Air Quality Modelling - Phase II
Objectives
To develop knowledge and tools for estimating the concentrations of emissions from building materials and products used indoors. To develop guidelines for selecting materials and ventilation strategies to meet specific indoor air quality requirements.
Background
The need for designers, builders and building managers to better understand what constitutes poor indoor air quality and what contributes to it led to a major research initiative undertaken by the National Research Council in 1997. The Phase I work produced a materials emission database encompassing 48 materials, and an indoor air quality simulation program. Phase II is focused on 1) creating the aforementioned knowledge and tools for estimating concentrations of emissions – specifically from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – and 2) providing reliable data for enhancing and developing indoor air quality guidelines for office and residential buildings.
Statement of Work
Small-Scale Emission Testing
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Assemble a target list of VOCs for which emission test results will be analyzed.
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Determine the ranges in concentrations of emissions from selected materials, which may result from either variability in the materials themselves or in the environment in which they are used;
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Expand the materials database from the original 48 materials (Phase I) to 69, and to re-analyze the existing data to cover as many VOCs on the target list as possible;
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Make the simulation program more user-friendly;
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Develop mass-transfer-based source models to predict emission rates over time.
Outcomes
Partners
Public Works and Government Services Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., Health Canada, Canadian Composite Panel Assoc., Carleton University, Chemical Manufactures Assoc. (Rohm & Haas), Dalhousie University, Gypsum Board Assoc., Canadian Composite Panel Assoc., Saskatchewan Research Council, University of Calgary, University of Miami, University of Syracuse, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Completion Date
The project (Phase II) was completed in 2005.
Related Information
Material Emissions and Indoor Air Quality Modelling - Phase II
