BUMA
Information Paper Producers of articles
Edited by: C. Dimitroulopoulou, D. Missia,
J.G. Bartzis
University of West Macedonia, Greece
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are
released from a variety of construction
products such as carpets, floorings, woodbased panels and adhesives. These
emissions may cause health complaints in
new buildings. For many VOCs, indoor air
guidelines have not yet been developed.
However, VOCs such as benzene, toluene,
xylenes, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde
may be of concern with respect to health
effects.
Results from indoor air quality studies in
Europe show that some maximum values
exceed the 8h occupational exposure limits,
possibly causing irritation to eyes, nose and
throat. Exceedances of both WHO (2000)
and INDEX (Kotzias et al, 2005) short-term
3
3
guidelines (100 µg/m and 30 µg/m
respectively) appear to be quite common
(Oliveira Fernandes et al., 2009). Indoor
benzene exposure levels are almost too low
to cause any other concern than due to its
carcinogenity. In indoor residential places,
the EC Air quality Standard of 5 µg/m3, as
annual average, is quite common, whereas
in many cities the annual average exceed 10
µg/m3 (Oliveira Fernandes et al., 2009). On
the other hand, chemicals such as limonene
and a-pinene require further research with
regard to human health (Kotzias et al, 2005).
The BUMA project (Bartzis et al., 2009)
aimed and achieved to gain a better
understanding of the VOC sources in the
indoor environment. A key action of the
BUMA project was to characterize
construction products according to their
emissions,
by
conducting
tests
in
environmental chambers and measurement
campaigns in indoor environments across
Europe. The results of the above activities,
led to prioritization of building materials
based on substances identified in indoor
environments,
with
significant
concentrations and known health effects.
The current Information Paper aims at
providing data to the “Producers of articles”
(construction products), as derived from the
BUMA project and in this way to assist
producers to get a better understanding of
their products emissions and assist them
with their preparations for REACH
compliance. The producers may also use
the BUMA Prioritisation Scheme to identify
how the emissions from their products are
compared with others included in the BUMA
database (Bartzis et al., 2009).
The Chamber Tests
Tests were conducted in environmental
chambers in order to characterize and
classify building materials according to their
emissions (Barero et al., 2009). The
materials tested in the lab were five (5)
construction products
covered under
Construction Products Directive (CPD) and
three (3) other materials not covered under
CPD.
The eight materials are commonly used in
construction works: gypsum board, a white
water based interior paint, linoleum
flooring, melamine finished particle
board,
wall-to-wall
carpet,
carpet
adhesive, a ceiling panel and an MDF.
The tests were performed in the JRC
3
INDOORTRON
facility,
a
30
m
environmental chamber, situated on the
premises of the Physical and Chemical
Exposure Unit (PCE), Institute for Health
and Consumer Protection (IHCP), Joint
Research
Centre of
the European
Commission, Ispra.
The tests were conducted under controlled
conditions of temperature (23±0.5°C),
-1
humidity (50±5%), air exchange rate (0.5h )
2 -3
and a loading factor of 0.4 m m , as
established in ISO 16000 standard and ECA
18 method. The total monitoring time for
each material was 72 to 168 hours (h) with
sampling times at 0, 3, 24, 72, 120-168 h.
The chemical analysis for evaluation of the
BUMA: Information Paper – Producers of articles
Polypropylene.
• Backing material: Synthetic
Juta
• Product: CORTEGA
BOARD 600*600*15.
• Label EN13964:2004:
Euroclass A2, No asbestos,
Emissions E1.
• Characteristic: 16 pieces
box for a total of 5.76 m2
each box.
• Product name: Lastre
PLACO BA/13
• Panels thickness = 12.5 mm
• Panels dimension =
3000*1200 mm
compounds emitted from each building
material was targeted on the following
pollutants: VOCs (especially aromatics such
as benzene and its homologues) and low
molecular
weight
carbonyls
(e.g.
formaldehyde,
acetaldehyde,
acetone,
propanal, hexanal). The analysis was
performed following ISO 16000 standard
series. Additionally, all materials were
subjected to long-term emission monitoring
for a period of 28 days in a 20L chamber in
the same conditions and loading factor, as
well.
Wall Carpet
Table 1. Technical information of the
building materials
(Barero et al., 2009)
Table 2. INDOORTRON: Specific
Emission Rates (µg m-2h-1)
(Barero et al., 2009)
Medium
Density
Fiberboard
(MDF)
Material
Carpet/
floor
Adhesive
Melamine
finished
particle
board
Linoleum
flooring
Water
based
white
interior
paint
Wall-to-
• Product name: MDF
Standard E1 code PLX 100
E 112
• Product format:
3660*1870*16 mm
• Formaldehyde class: A (EN
120 ≤ 9 mg / 100 g).
• Product name: AQUACOL
T.
• Solvent: Water based
adesive.
• Indicated consumption
(yield): 0.3 to 0.55 Kg/m2
• Product: LAMINTEX Pannello Ecologico
Nobilitato Melaminico.
• Dimensions: Panels length
3.76 m, width 1.86 m,
thickness 1.6 cm.
• Product: Linoleum flooring
material.
• Baking material: Juta
(natural fiber)
• Characteristic: one-piece
rolled material, length 8.20
m, height 2.0 m, thickness
2.5 mm
• Base: PVA-VEOVA
copolymer.
• Recommended use –
Dilution with 5-10 % clean
water.
• Indicated Yield (d=1.4 Kg/l):
11.5 m2/lt
• VOC content (according to
1999/13/CE): 24 g/l.
• Product name: POLYSTEP.
• Fiber material: 100 %
Ceiling Tile
Gypsum
board
MDF
Carpet/
floor
Adhesive
Particle
board
Linoleum
flooring
Water
based
paint
Wall-towall carpet
Ceiling tile
Gypsum
board
MDF
Carpet/
floor
Adhesive
Particle
board
Linoleum
flooring
Water
based
paint
Wall-towall carpet
Ceiling tile
Gypsum
board
24h
174
3
Formaldehyde
3d
7d
180
191
-
24
22
20
-
-
-
0.5
0.4
-
0.3
-
-
34
9
26
5
20
-
24h
674
TVOC
3d
747
7d
591
1341
89
521
54
211
37
892
678
469
4873
2478
-
279
252
58
126
189
17
80
128
-
BUMA: Information Paper – Producers of articles
Table 3. SMALL CHAMBER:
-2 -1
TVOC Specific Emission Rates (µg m h )
(Barero et al., 2009)
Materials
MDF
Carpet/ floor
Adhesive
Particle board
Linoleum
Water based
paint
Wall to wall
carpet
Ceiling tile
Gypsum board
24h
483
3d
486
7d
550
14d
490
21d
577
28d
365
607
10
166
236
9
145
122
10
127
98
10
105
45
9
125
52
8
117
5138
2662
1068
417
157
453
161
227
-
103
210
-
64
156
3
56
70
3
36
92
-0.2
39
129
4
The laboratory testing was carried out in
clean air (with no O3, NO2, H2O). The
impact of radical chemistry was not
considered (no OH- chemistry).
Emissions measured at 72 hours in the
Indoortron showed that the lowest TVOC
emitting material was gypsum board,
followed by particle board, linoleum and
paint. For all the investigated materials,
there was a decreasing trend over time for
all materials regarding the emissions of the
priority INDEX VOCs (formaldehyde,
benzene, acetaldehyde, toluene, limonene,
a-pinene, o-,m-,p-xylenes) as well as the
TVOCs (Bartzis et al., 2009).
category includes products such as carpets,
wall papers, paints and varnishes. Emission
data were collected for the 8 categories of
construction products. Their mean values
and ranges are shown below.
Table 4. Range of TVOC Specific Emission
Rates in BUMA database (µg m-2h-1)
Adhesives
Floorings
Wood based
panels
Paints and
varnishes
Ceiling
coverings
BUMA Database
A comprehensive and user-friendly emission
database was constructed containing up-todate emission data for building materials
(Bartzis, et al., 2009). The two main
categories of building materials included in
the database are ‘’construction products’’
covered under the Construction Products
Directive (CPD) and “other building
materials”. The construction products
include, among others, floorings (e.g.
plastic, wood, tiles, linoleum), adhesives,
plastic paneling (e.g. PVC, polystyrene, urea
formaldehyde and melamine resigns),
pressed wood products (particle boards, ply
woods, MDFs) and thermal insulating
materials (polystyrene and polyurethane
foam insulating, urea formaldehyde foam
insulating). The ‘’other building materials’’
Insulations
Carpets
Gypsum boards
Mean value
(sd)
Range
(µg m-2h-1)
143203
(295479)
4783 (10738)
946 (2646)
19 – 834780
0 – 1760000
6 – 25648
6221 (214237)
0 – 157669
78 (137)
3 – 713
2 (0.6)
11973 (93182)
8649 (27360)
19 – 834780
1 - 148400
Table 5. Range of Formaldehyde Specific
Emission Rates in BUMA database (µg m-2h1
)
Adhesives
Floorings
Wood based
panels
Paints and
varnishes
Ceiling coverings
Insulations
Carpets
Gypsum boards
Mean
value (sd)
Range
15 (9)
25 (33)
144 (210)
5 – 31
0 – 125
0 - 1580
52 (179)
0 – 1160
25 (57)
22 (10)
18 (17)
39 (118)
0.5 – 275
≈32
0 – 57
0 – 742
The producers of articles may check the
emissions of their products against this data.
BUMA: Information Paper – Producers of articles
The main options of the database are
product categories, emissions, materials,
compounds and background info. The
database contains more than 5000 emission
data, for more than 300 different material
and exceeding 400 emitted compounds. The
database
also
includes
background
information on National Guidelines, sources,
physical properties, health limits/thresholds.
BUMA Prioritisation Scheme
The BUMA prioritization scheme (Bartzis et
al., 2009) provides a simple screening tool
for a rapid classification of building materials
with respect to exposure levels in toxic
emitted
substances
in
the
indoor
environment. For this purpose, BEMES, the
flexible and user-friendly modelling tool
developed in the BUMA project, is used.
BEMES can run in interface with the BUMA
Database to produce a list of all materials in
the same product category of the BUMA
database. The interface page is shown in
the following figure.
This approach can be used to assess the
emissions of a new construction product.
The new emission rates may be compared
with the ones provided by the list. For a
better assessment, the user may consult the
BUMA database for more information about
the product and the lab testing conditions for
the cases included in the list.
formaldehyde emissions at 3 days. Materials
are classified in four categories, based on
emission levels, their frequency of use
(Missia et al., 2008), as well as their
emissions trend in time (Bartzis et al., 2009).
If a “new material” is considered (e.g. a
water based white interior paint, as tested in
the BUMA lab tests), this can be compared
with the other materials in the BUMA
Database. According to this list the “New
material” is classified in the “Lower emitters”
category.
Table 5. State-of-the-art Priority list of
“Paints and Varnishes based on 3 days
formaldehyde emissions.
1. Dispersion wall paint (on
glass fiber non woven
fabric) (to be considered
and used with special care)
Lower
emitters
“New material”: water
based white interior paint
2. Wall paint (on glass fiber)
3. Dispersion wall paint (on
plasterboard with primer)
4. Primer on plasterboard
5. Flooring varnish
1. Dispersion wall paint
Moderate
emitters
2. Latex dispersion wall paint
3. Wall paint for indoor use,
vinyl acetate, white,
gypsum board
1. wall paint acrylic, white on
gypsum board
Higher
emitters
In the example below (Table 4), the “Paints
and Varnishes” category was selected. In
this case, materials were ranked for their
2. Wall paint for indoor use,
based on linseed oil, white
on gypsum board
BUMA: Information Paper – Producers of articles
The BUMA database can be viewed
independently in a stand-alone mode.
Potential end users may get access to the
BUMA
database
and
the
BUMA
Prioritisation Scheme by contacting the
University of West Macedonia.
Contact details:
John G. Bartzis
University of West Macedonia
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sialvera & Bacola Str.
50100 Kozani, Greece
Tel. +30 2461 0 56620
Fax: +30 2461 0 21730
e-mail: [email protected]
References
Barero Josefa, Leva Paolo, Geiss Otmar,
Tirendi Salvatore, Bellintani A., Kotzias
Dimitrios (2009) Report on execution of
environmental chamber tests. BUMA Project
website.
Bartzis, et al., 2009. BUMA Project Results
Assessment. BUMA website, January 2009.
Kotzias et al., 2005. The INDEX project:
Critical Appraisal of the Setting and
Implementation of Indoor Exposure Limits in
the EU. Final Report, EUR 21590 EN.
Missia D. et
campaigns.
International
Quality and
Copenhagen.
al., 2008.. The BUMA field
In: Proceedings of 11th
Conference on Indoor Air
Climate, Indoor Air 2008,
Oliveira Fernandes, et al., 2009. Publishable
Final Activity Report, EnVIE Co-ordination
Action on Indoor Air Quality and Health
Effects. EU Project SSPE-CT-2004-502671.
http://www.envie-iaq.eu/finalreports.html
WHO - World Health Organization, 1989.
Indoor Air Quality: Organic Pollutants.
EURO Reports and Studies No. 111,
Copenhagen.
BUMA
Information Paper Building Professionals
Edited by: C. Dimitroulopoulou, D. Missia,
J.G. Bartzis
University of West Macedonia, Greece
results from the BUMA project - BUMA
database and BUMA Prioritisation Scheme in order to improve their practice.
Why do VOCs cause concern?
What are VOCs?
Over the past decades, there have been
changes in the way that buildings are
constructed. Improved insulations and
advances in constructions led to an
extensive use of synthetic building materials.
Construction products represent the largest
surfaces indoors and are the largest
contributors of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) in the indoor environment. VOCs
are chemical compounds that can evaporate
from a construction product into the air, at
room temperatures. VOCs that are released
from
construction
products
include
compounds
such
as
formaldehyde,
acetaldehyde, toluene, xylenes and benzene
and may build up indoors to much higher
concentrations than outdoors.
BUMA project
The BUMA project (Bartzis et al., 2009)
aimed and achieved to gain a better
understanding of the VOC sources from
construction products in the indoor
environment. A key action of the BUMA
project was to characterize construction
products and building materials according to
their emissions, by carrying out tests in
environmental chambers and measurement
campaigns in indoor environments across
Europe. The results of the above activities,
led to prioritization of building materials
based on substances identified in indoor
environments, with high concentrations and
known health effects.
The objective of this Information Paper is to
raise
the
awareness
of
building
professionals about indoor air quality (IAQ)
issues related to formaldehyde and VOCs
from construction products, based on the
High indoor VOCs concentrations, coupled
with the fact that people spend up to 90% of
their time inside buildings, are likely to cause
health complaints in new buildings. For
many VOCs, the risk on human health and
comfort is almost unknown due to the lack of
toxicological data. However VOCs such as
benzene, toluene, xylenes, formaldehyde
and acetaldehyde have to be considered
with high attention, with respect to health
effects.
Results from indoor air quality studies in
Europe show that some maximum values
exceed the 8h occupational exposure limits,
possibly causing irritation to eyes, nose and
throat. Exceedances of both WHO (2000)
and INDEX (Kotzias et al., 2005) short-term
guidelines (100 µg/m3 and 30 µg/m3
respectively) appear to be quite common
(Oliveira Fernandes et al., 2009). Indoor
benzene exposure levels are almost too low
to cause any other concern than due to its
carcinogenity. In indoor residential places,
the EC Air quality Standard of 5 µg/m3, as
annual average, is quite common, whereas
in many cities the annual average exceed 10
µg/m3 (Oliveira Fernandes et al., 2009). On
the other hand, chemicals such as limonene
and a-pinene require further research with
regard to human health (Kotzias et al.,
2005).
VOCs may also increase health complaints
related to sick building syndrome (SBS).
This is a situation in which occupants report
symptoms, such as mucous membrane
irritation, headaches, stuffiness, lethargy
and drowsiness, especially in newly
constructed or refurbished office buildings.
SBS has been proved to affect the
productivity of office workers.
BUMA: Information Paper – Building Professionals
Which are indoor VOC sources?
Indoor VOCs are released from a variety of
construction products such as vinyl tile and
coving, carpets, particleboards. VOCs
emissions may also derive from paints,
coatings, adhesives and treatments to
enhance stain and water resistance.
More specifically, formaldehyde has
significant indoor sources: melamine or
paper laminate, UF particleboard, MDF,
veneer plywood, adhesive for flooring
materials, birch or pine wood panels, carpet
tiles, acoustical ceiling panels, linoleum,
pine wood boards, gypsum boards, cork
parquets, insulating materials, water based
paints, fabrics, paper products. Unlike
formaldehyde, building materials are not
expected to produce significant benzene
emissions.
Building materials that emit acetaldehyde
include rigid polyurethane foams, adhesives,
coatings, lubricants, inks.
Toluene is found in newly constructed /
renovated buildings due to high emissions
from paints and other relative supplies (e.g.
waxes, primers, varnishes), thinners as well
as from thermal insulating products
(polystyrene or poly-urethane foams) and
adhesives (either floor, panel or carpet).
As found in the BUMA lab tests, products
that emit xylenes to indoor air include
adhesives, carpets and paints, however in
minor amounts, which almost disappear with
time.
A-pinene is found in buildings with wood
pressed products (e.g. OSBs, plywood,
MDFs, particle boards). PVC, linoleum,
carpet tiles and carpets have also been
characterised as a-pinene emission sources
(Bartzis et al., 2009).
Use of construction products
During the BUMA field campaign, which was
carried out in 2007 to 2008 in five European
cities (Athens, Nicosia, Dublin, Copenhagen
and Milan) in summer and winter, in houses
and public offices, the use of construction
products that emit VOCs and formaldehyde
was reported (Missia et al., 2008). It was
observed that
•
Wooden varnished floorings are used in
houses both in North and South Europe;
•
Plaster walls and plastic water based
paint is used practically everywhere.
Plaster ceiling are common both in the
North and in the South;
•
Linoleum flooring is mainly used in
Northern and Central Europe cities and
it is a common material for public
buildings and schools;
•
Ceramic tiles are often used in Southern
countries in public buildings (including
schools) as well as carpets and rugs in
houses;
•
Gypsum boards are used only in
countries of Southern Europe and
usually in houses;
•
Ceiling
coverings,
ceiling
panels
(containing raff wool) are met only in the
public buildings.
BUMA Best Practice Advice
Characterizing the construction products for
their
emissions
and
their
potential
contribution to indoor air pollution can assist
the building professionals to select products
and materials that are less polluting, as well
as to modify their initial choice in order to
reduce indoor pollutant levels.
Control of formaldehyde and VOC emissions
from construction products is considered to
be the optimum strategy for the mitigation of
indoor air quality problems related to these
pollutants. This approach aims to identify
and control the major sources of pollutants,
where these sources are shown to lead to
unacceptable human exposures.
The BUMA best practice advice does not
include any new technique or method. It
simply summarises significant information
currently available on this subject and revisit
it again through the BUMA results (Bartzis et
al., 2009). The BUMA best practice advice,
included in the present Information paper, is
addressed to user group of designers,
BUMA: Information Paper – Building Professionals
developers and contractors to help them to
improve their practice.
impact on the building occupants by
emissions of VOCs.
First of all, the designers have the duty and,
at the same time, the unique opportunity to
present to owners the possibilities for
improving their building performance in
terms of sustainability and occupants health
via design strategies.
The BUMA prioritization scheme (details are
given at the end of this Information paper)
can provide a simple screening tool for a
rapid ranking of building materials with
respect to exposure levels in toxic emitted
substances in the indoor environment.
The Designers should keep up-to-date on
new products and should design for good
indoor air quality related to formaldehyde
and VOC emissions. More specifically, they
should:
•
Encourage the building owner, at
the beginning of the project, to
identify the best options, based on
the life cycle analysis of the
construction products (performance,
Indoor air quality, Eco aspects,
cost).
•
Take adequate time and financial
support in the early design stage to
carry out some research to identify
construction product databases.
•
Apply policies, regulations
codes of practice.
and
The BUMA database (details are given at
the end of this Information paper) can
provide not only VOC emission data from
construction products, but also background
information on National Guidelines, sources,
physical properties, health limits/thresholds.
•
Design,
among
other
indoor
parameters,
for
low-emitting
materials and indoor air quality
related to HCHO and TVOCs
•
Select construction products based
on
independent
product
assessments
about
their
performance (e.g VOC emission
rates). They should use products
with low or no VOC emissions.
•
Replace VOC emission sources:
identify the emission source and
replace the material with another
material that does not cause an
•
Keep a record of the construction
products
providing clear
and
detailed product and construction
specifications (e.g. requirements for
material
or
product
chemical
content, emissions of the product,
labelling or classification). This may
help
them
to
assess
the
performance of the building and
alter their initial and works as a
future reference for this or other
projects.
•
Get a post-occupancy feedback.
This will give them the opportunity to
improve their understanding of
construction product performance,
build their experience and at the
same time to give a proper feedback
to
producers
of
construction
products, who also have a mutual
interest.
The objective and challenge for the
Developers is to improve the building
performance in terms of successful delivery
of the contract on time, on budget, and
simultaneously
with
all
sustainable
procurement and design requirements. This
depends on a large extend on the project
manager as well as on building contractors,
Their
engagement,
education
and
understanding of the principles and practice
of sustainable products and material
installation will lead to the successful
achievement of this objective.
The background information provided here,
together with access to the BUMA database
and BUMA prioritisation scheme, attempt to
improve the developers’ understanding of
indoor air quality (IAQ) issues related to
formaldehyde and VOCs and the necessity
BUMA: Information Paper – Building Professionals
to be engaged with the sustainability
objectives set by the client and designer.
Furthermore, the developers should make
sure that the potential contractors are also
aware of indoor environmental quality
issues. If not, the task of the developers
should be to ensure the familiarisation of
their
contractors
with
construction
specifications related to reduction of
formaldehyde and VOC emissions from
construction products. Information from the
BUMA database can assist them to achieve
this target, whereas access to the BUMA
prioritisation scheme may help hem to
identify the lower emitters for the same
construction product category.
The contractors should also maintain site
conditions during construction that will
protect materials against precipitation and
other moisture that can damage them, and
prevent VOC adsorption on surfaces,
leading to re-emissions during occupancy. In
some cases, temporary ventilation should be
provided, whereas heating or cooling may
be necessary for the installation of the
materials.
The main options of the database are
product categories, emissions, materials,
compounds and background info. The
database contains more than 5000 emission
data, for more than 300 different material
and exceeding 400 emitted compounds. The
database
also
includes
background
information on National Guidelines, sources,
physical properties, health limits/thresholds.
The BUMA database can be viewed
independently in a stand-alone mode.
BUMA Prioritisation Scheme
The BUMA prioritization scheme (Bartzis et
al., 2009) provides a simple screening tool
for a rapid classification of building materials
with respect to exposure levels in toxic
emitted
substances
in
the
indoor
environment. For this purpose, BEMES, the
flexible and user-friendly modelling tool
developed in the BUMA project, is used.
BEMES can run in interface with the BUMA
Database to produce a list of all materials in
the same product category of the BUMA
database. The interface page is shown in
the following figure.
BUMA Database
A comprehensive and user-friendly emission
database was constructed containing up-todate emission data for building materials
(Bartzis, et al., 2009). The two main
categories of building materials included in
the database are ‘’construction products’’
covered under the Construction Products
Directive (CPD) and “other building
materials”. The construction products
include, among others, floorings (e.g.
plastic, wood, tiles, linoleum), adhesives,
plastic paneling (e.g. PVC, polystyrene, urea
formaldehyde and melamine resigns),
pressed wood products (particle boards, ply
woods, MDFs) and thermal insulating
materials (polystyrene and polyurethane
foam insulating, urea formaldehyde foam
insulating). The ‘’other building materials’’
category includes products such as carpets,
wall papers, paints and varnishes. Emission
data were collected for the 8 categories of
construction products.
This approach can be used to assess the
emissions of a new construction product.
The new emission rates may be compared
with the ones provided by the list. For a
better assessment, the user may consult the
BUMA database for more information about
BUMA: Information Paper – Building Professionals
the product and the lab testing conditions for
the cases included in the list.
In the example below (Table 4), the “Paints
and Varnishes” category was selected. In
this case, materials were ranked for their
formaldehyde emissions at 3 days. Materials
are classified in three categories, based on
emission levels, their frequency of use
(Missia et al., 2008), as well as their
emissions trend in time (Bartzis et al., 2009).
If a “new material” is considered (e.g. a
water based white interior paint, as tested in
the BUMA lab tests), this can be compared
with the other materials in the BUMA
Database. According to this list the “New
material” is classified in the “Lower emitters”
category.
Table 4. State-of-the-art Priority list of
“Paints and Varnishes based on 3 days
formaldehyde emissions.
6. Dispersion wall paint (on
glass fiber non woven
fabric) (to be considered
and used with special care)
Lower
emitters
“New material”: water
based white interior paint
7. Wall paint (on glass fiber)
8. Dispersion wall paint (on
plasterboard with primer)
9. Primer on plasterboard
10.
Flooring varnish
4. Dispersion wall paint
Moderate
emitters
5. Latex dispersion wall paint
6. Wall paint for indoor use,
vinyl acetate, white,
gypsum board
3. wall paint acrylic, white on
gypsum board
Higher
emitters
4. Wall paint for indoor use,
based on linseed oil, white
on gypsum board
Potential end users may get access to the
BUMA
database
and
the
BUMA
Prioritisation Scheme by contacting the
University of West Macedonia.
Contact details:
John G. Bartzis
University of West Macedonia
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sialvera & Bacola Str.
50100 Kozani, Greece
Tel. +30 2461 0 56620
Fax: +30 2461 0 21730
e-mail: [email protected]
References
Bartzis, et al., 2009. BUMA Project Results
Assessment. BUMA website, January 2009.
Kotzias et al., 2005. The INDEX project:
Critical Appraisal of the Setting and
Implementation of Indoor Exposure Limits in
the EU. Final Report, EUR 21590 EN.
Missia D. et
campaigns.
International
Quality and
Copenhagen.
al., 2008.. The BUMA field
In: Proceedings of 11th
Conference on Indoor Air
Climate, Indoor Air 2008,
Oliveira Fernandes, et al., 2009. Publishable
Final Activity Report, EnVIE Co-ordination
Action on Indoor Air Quality and Health
Effects. EU Project SSPE-CT-2004-502671.
http://www.envie-iaq.eu/finalreports.html
WHO - World Health Organization, 1989.
Indoor Air Quality: Organic Pollutants.
EURO Reports and Studies No. 111,
Copenhagen.
BUMA Information Paper Policy makers
EHO
Building occupants
Edited by: C. Dimitroulopoulou, D. Missia,
J.G. Bartzis
University of West Macedonia, Greece
What are VOCs?
Over the past decades, there have been
changes in the way that buildings are
constructed. Improved insulations and
advances in constructions led to an
extensive use of synthetic building materials.
Construction products represent the largest
surfaces indoors and are the largest
contributors of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) in the indoor environment. VOCs
are chemical compounds that can evaporate
from a construction product into the air, at
room temperatures. VOCs that are released
from
construction
products
include
compounds
such
as
formaldehyde,
acetaldehyde, toluene, xylenes and benzene
and may build up indoors to much higher
concentrations than outdoors.
BUMA project
The BUMA project (Bartzis et al., 2009)
aimed and achieved to gain a better
understanding of the VOC sources from
construction products in the indoor
environment. A key action of the BUMA
project was to characterize construction
products and building materials according to
their emissions, by carrying out tests in
environmental chambers and measurement
campaigns in indoor environments across
Europe. The results of the above activities,
led to prioritization of building materials
based on substances identified in indoor
environments, with high concentrations and
known health effects.
This Information paper is addressed to the
user group of policy makers, Environmental
Health Officers and building occupants. The
objective is to raise the awareness of this
group of issues related to impacts of VOC
and
formaldehyde
emissions
from
construction products. This Information
paper may help this end user group to
identify the source (construction product)
and reduce its impact on indoor air quality
and human exposure. Practical examples for
use of construction products and their
impact in the home environment and office
environment, in different countries are given.
Why do VOCs cause concern?
High indoor VOCs concentrations, coupled
with the fact that people spend up to 90% of
their time inside buildings, are likely to cause
health complaints in new buildings. For
many VOCs, the risk on human health and
comfort is almost unknown due to the lack of
toxicological data. However VOCs such as
benzene, toluene, xylenes, formaldehyde
and acetaldehyde have to be considered
with high attention, with respect to health
effects.
Results from indoor air quality studies in
Europe show that some maximum values
exceed the 8h occupational exposure limits,
possibly causing irritation to eyes, nose and
throat. Exceedances of both WHO (2000)
and INDEX (Kotzias et al., 2005) short-term
3
3
guidelines (100 µg/m and 30 µg/m
respectively) appear to be quite common
(Oliveira Fernandes et al., 2009). Indoor
benzene exposure levels are almost too low
to cause any other concern than due to its
carcinogenity. In indoor residential places,
3
the EC Air quality Standard of 5 µg/m , as
annual average, is quite common, whereas
in many cities the annual average exceed 10
µg/m3 (Oliveira Fernandes et al., 2009). On
the other hand, chemicals such as limonene
and a-pinene require further research with
regard to human health (Kotzias et al.,
2005).
BUMA: Information Paper – Policy Makers, EHO, Building Occupants
VOCs may also increase health complaints
related to sick building syndrome (SBS).
This is a situation in which occupants report
symptoms, such as mucous membrane
irritation, headaches, stuffiness, lethargy
and drowsiness, especially in newly
constructed or refurbished office buildings.
SBS has been proved to affect the
productivity of office workers.
Which are indoor VOC sources?
Indoor VOCs are released from a variety of
construction products such as vinyl tile and
coving, carpets, particleboards. VOCs
emissions may also derive from paints,
coatings, adhesives and treatments to
enhance stain and water resistance.
More specifically, formaldehyde has
significant indoor sources: melamine or
paper laminate, UF particleboard, MDF,
veneer plywood, adhesive for flooring
materials, birch or pine wood panels, carpet
tiles, acoustical ceiling panels, linoleum,
pine wood boards, gypsum boards, cork
parquets, insulating materials, water based
paints, fabrics, paper products. Unlike
formaldehyde, building materials are not
expected to produce significant benzene
emissions.
characterised as a-pinene emission sources
(Bartzis et al., 2009).
Use of construction products
During the BUMA field campaign, which was
carried out in 2007 to 2008 in five European
cities (Athens, Nicosia, Dublin, Copenhagen
and Milan) in summer and winter, in houses
and public offices, the use of construction
products that emit VOCs and formaldehyde
was reported (Missia et al., 2008). It was
observed that
•
Wooden varnished floorings are used in
houses both in North and South Europe;
•
Plaster walls and plastic water based
paint is used practically everywhere.
Plaster ceiling are common both in the
North and in the South;
•
Linoleum flooring is mainly used in
Northern and Central Europe cities and
it is a common material for public
buildings and schools;
•
Ceramic tiles are often used in Southern
countries in public buildings (including
schools) as well as carpets and rugs in
houses;
•
Gypsum boards are used only in
countries of Southern Europe and
usually in houses;
•
Ceiling
coverings,
ceiling
panels
(containing raff wool) are met only in the
public buildings.
Building materials that emit acetaldehyde
include rigid polyurethane foams, adhesives,
coatings, lubricants, inks.
Toluene is found in newly constructed /
renovated buildings due to high emissions
from paints and other relative supplies (e.g.
waxes, primers, varnishes), thinners as well
as from thermal insulating products
(polystyrene or poly-urethane foams) and
adhesives (either floor, panel or carpet).
As found in the BUMA lab tests, products
that emit xylenes to indoor air include
adhesives, carpets and paints, however in
minor amounts, which almost disappear with
time.
A-pinene is found in buildings with wood
pressed products (e.g. OSBs, plywood,
MDFs, particle boards). PVC, linoleum,
carpet tiles and carpets have also been
BUMA Best Practice Advice
Characterizing the construction products for
their
emissions
and
their
potential
contribution to indoor air pollution can assist
the building professionals to select products
and materials that are less polluting, as well
as to modify their initial choice in order to
reduce indoor pollutant levels.
Control of formaldehyde and VOC emissions
from construction products is considered to
be the optimum strategy for the mitigation of
indoor air quality problems related to these
pollutants. This approach aims to identify
BUMA: Information Paper – Policy Makers, EHO, Building Occupants
and control the major sources of pollutants,
where these sources are shown to lead to
unacceptable human exposures.
The BUMA best practice advice does not
include any new technique or method. It
simply summarises significant information
currently available on this subject and revisit
it again through the BUMA results (Bartzis et
al., 2009). The BUMA best practice advice is
mainly
addressed
to
the
building
owners/occupants. So, the building owners
should:
•
•
Engage designers with a sound record
of sustainability expertise; should
require from the designers to prove their
previous
experience
with
similar
projects, ability to work with a quality
control plan and systematic approach to
ensure future building performance.
Develop sustainable purchasing criteria
for construction products and should
transfer these sustainable objectives to
building managers and occupants.
The BUMA database (see below) can
provide not only VOC emission data from
construction products, but also background
information on National Guidelines, sources,
physical properties, health limits/thresholds
that can help the this end user group to
increase its awareness of these issues.
•
Keep exposure to VOC emissions to a
minimum. They should replace VOC
emission sources: identify the emission
source and replace the material with
another material that does not cause a
potential impact on the building
occupants due to VOC emissions.
The BUMA prioritization scheme (details are
given at the end of this Information paper)
can provide a simple screening tool for a
rapid ranking of building materials with
respect to exposure levels in toxic emitted
substances in the indoor environment.
•
Increase their awareness of the potential
impact of VOC and formaldehyde
emissions from construction products on
indoor air quality and occupant
exposures.
The results from the BUMA-BEMES
modeling work presented in this Information
paper can help them to understand and
visualize the potential impact of VOCs.
•
Be aware of mitigation measures. There
are two classical ways to achieve a
required level of the IAQ in terms of
pollutants: control the source control and
provide adequate ventilation as a
mitigation technique. Focussing on the
source control measures, they should be
applied to many building products,
furnishings and consumer products.
BUMA Database
A comprehensive and user-friendly emission
database was constructed containing up-todate emission data for building materials
(Bartzis, et al., 2009). The two main
categories of building materials included in
the database are ‘’construction products’’
covered under the Construction Products
Directive (CPD) and “other building
materials”. The construction products
include, among others, floorings (e.g.
plastic, wood, tiles, linoleum), adhesives,
plastic paneling (e.g. PVC, polystyrene, urea
formaldehyde and melamine resigns),
pressed wood products (particle boards, ply
woods, MDFs) and thermal insulating
materials (polystyrene and polyurethane
foam insulating, urea formaldehyde foam
insulating). The ‘’other building materials’’
category includes products such as carpets,
wall papers, paints and varnishes. Emission
data were collected for the 8 categories of
construction products.
The main options of the database are
product categories, emissions, materials,
compounds and background info. The
database contains more than 5000 emission
data, for more than 300 different material
and exceeding 400 emitted compounds. The
database
also
includes
background
information on National Guidelines, sources,
physical properties, health limits/thresholds.
The BUMA database can be viewed
independently in a stand-alone mode.
BUMA: Information Paper – Policy Makers, EHO, Building Occupants
BUMA Prioritisation Scheme
The BUMA prioritization scheme (Bartzis et
al., 2009) provides a simple screening tool
for a rapid classification of building materials
with respect to exposure levels in toxic
emitted
substances
in
the
indoor
environment. For this purpose, BEMES, the
flexible and user-friendly modelling tool
developed in the BUMA project, is used.
BEMES can run in interface with the BUMA
Database to produce a list of all materials in
the same product category of the BUMA
database. The interface page is shown in
the following figure.
with the other materials in the BUMA
Database. According to this list the “New
material” is classified in the “Lower emitters”
category.
Table 1. State-of-the-art Priority list of
“Paints and Varnishes based on 3 days
formaldehyde emissions.
1. Dispersion wall paint (on
glass fiber non woven
fabric) (to be considered
and used with special care)
Lower
emitters
“New material”: water based
white interior paint
2. Wall paint (on glass fiber)
3. Dispersion wall paint (on
plasterboard with primer)
4. Primer on plasterboard
5. Flooring varnish
1. Dispersion wall paint
Moderate
emitters
2. Latex dispersion wall paint
3. Wall paint for indoor use,
vinyl acetate, white,
gypsum board
1. wall paint acrylic, white on
gypsum board
Higher
emitters
This approach can be used to assess the
emissions of a new construction product.
The new emission rates may be compared
with the ones provided by the list. For a
better assessment, the user may consult the
BUMA database for more information about
the product and the lab testing conditions for
the cases included in the list.
In the example below (Table 1), the “Paints
and Varnishes” category was selected. In
this case, materials were ranked for their
formaldehyde emissions at 3 days. Materials
are classified in four categories, based on
emission levels, their frequency of use
(Missia et al., 2008), as well as their
emissions trend in time (Bartzis et al., 2009).
If a “new material” is considered (e.g. a
water based white interior paint, as tested in
the BUMA lab tests), this can be compared
2. Wall paint for indoor use,
based on linseed oil, white
on gypsum board
BEMES Modelling
Modelling is particularly useful to identify, in
a quick and easy way, the potential impact
of emissions from construction products on
human exposure. The BUMA Exposure
Modelling Expert System (BEMES) is a
flexible and user-friendly tool that supports
the aims of the project. BEMES consists of
the BUMA database, a multizone model for
ventilation simulations, a new model for
indoor air chemistry and a model for
exposure assessment of individuals to
pollutants
emitted
from
construction
products and it is used to indoor
concentrations and inhalation exposure, in
reference conditions.
BUMA: Information Paper – Policy Makers, EHO, Building Occupants
According to the results from the BUMA
project, the frequently used materials in
public buildings (offices) are water-based
paints and ceiling panels. Furniture is
always made from similar wood-based
panels (MDF, covered particleboards or
wood). Linoleum and wall-to-wall carpets are
commonly used in public buildings and
schools (Missia et al., 2008). Melamine
covered particle boards are usually used for
furnishing, though MDFs are used for
finishing materials such as doors and
cabinets.
Four different options were selected to
represent the above conditions tested (Table
2). BEMES is used to estimate the potential
impact of new or alternative materials on
indoor
air
quality
and
exposure.
Formaldehyde Specific Emission Rates,
rd
th
measured on the 3 and 7 days, were
used.
Table 2. Materials Options in the model
room
Option
1
Water
based
paint
Option
2
Water
based
paint
Option
3
Water
based
paint
Option
4
Water
based
paint
Linoleum
flooring
Linoleum
flooring
Wall to
wall
carpet
Linoleum
flooring
Ceiling
covered
by water
based
paint
Ceiling
panel
Ceiling
panel
Furniture
(particle
boards)
Furniture
(particle
boards)
Ceiling
panel
Furniture
(particle
boards)
Two exposed groups were considered; adult
men and women. The exposure period in an
office environment corresponds to 29% of
their time in winter weekdays.
The
predicted
indoor
formaldehyde
concentrations in an office environment and
the inhalation exposure for adults are
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, respectively.
In Option 1, the combination of the materials
showed that the indoor formaldehyde
concentration reached the value of 34.9
µg/m3 (Figure 1). Clearly, the lowest HCHO
concentrations were predicted for Option 2,
where the ceiling panel is covered with
water-based paint. Linoleum replacement
by wall-to-wall carpet (Option 3) shows no
difference in formaldehyde concentration
levels (≈ 35 µg/m3). However, the
replacement of the particleboard with
furniture made by MDF (Option 4) shows a
significant increase in formaldehyde average
indoor concentration that reached about 100
3
µg/m .
Figure 1. Formaldehyde concentrations in
an office for the various material options
Formaldehyde
120
Concentration (µg/m3)
The case-study that is presented here
represents an office with assumed building
materials used in different combinations.
The emissions of building materials are
either derived from the BUMA database or
from chamber tests conducted within BUMA
project.
100
80
60
40
20
0
Option 1 Option 2
MDF
3d
Option 3 Option 4
7d
BUMA: Information Paper – Policy Makers, EHO, Building Occupants
Figure 2. Inhalation exposure in an office for
the various material options (3rd day
emission rates)
3d Exposure
Bartzis, et al., 2009. BUMA Project Results
Assessment. BUMA website, January 2009.
Kotzias et al., 2005. The INDEX project:
Critical Appraisal of the Setting and
Implementation of Indoor Exposure Limits in
the EU. Final Report, EUR 21590 EN.
6.E-03
Inhalation Exposure (mg/kg day)
References
5.E-03
4.E-03
Missia D. et
campaigns.
International
Quality and
Copenhagen.
3.E-03
2.E-03
1.E-03
0.E+00
Option 1
Option 2
Males
Option 3
Option 4
Females
Access to the BUMA database and the
BUMA Prioritisation Scheme or further
information about the results from the BUMA
project may be got by contacting the
University of West Macedonia.
Contact details:
John G. Bartzis
University of West Macedonia
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sialvera & Bacola Str.
50100 Kozani, Greece
Tel. +30 2461 0 56620
Fax: +30 2461 0 21730
e-mail: [email protected]
al., 2008.. The BUMA field
In: Proceedings of 11th
Conference on Indoor Air
Climate, Indoor Air 2008,
Oliveira Fernandes, et al., 2009. Publishable
Final Activity Report, EnVIE Co-ordination
Action on Indoor Air Quality and Health
Effects. EU Project SSPE-CT-2004-502671.
http://www.envie-iaq.eu/finalreports.html
WHO - World Health Organization, 1989.
Indoor Air Quality: Organic Pollutants.
EURO Reports and Studies No. 111,
Copenhagen.
BUMA Best Practice Advice
References
Alevantis, L.E., 1996. Reducing occupant exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from
office builidng construction materials : Non-binding Guidelines. California Department of Health
Services, Berkeley CA.
Barero Josefa, Leva Paolo, Geiss Otmar, Tirendi Salvatore, Bellintani A., Kotzias Dimitrios (2009)
Report on execution of environmental chamber tests. BUMA Project website.
Bartzis, et al., 2009. BUMA Project Results Assessment. BUMA website, January 2009.
Carlson, P.O., 2000. Guidelines for Environmental Design. Proceedings of Healthy Buildings
2000, Espoo, Finland, Vol 4, pp 575-580.
CEN/TC 351/WG 1, 2008. Release from construction products into soil, ground water and surface
water.
ECA, 2005 - European Collaborative Action “Indoor Air Quality and its Impact on Man.
Harmonisation of Indoor material emission labelling system in the EU, Report 24, EUR 21891/EN,
Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency, 1997. Exposure Factors Handbook, pages 1193.
Oliveira Fernandes, E., Jantunen, M., Carrer, P., Seppänen, O., Harrison, P., Kephalopoulos, S.,
2009. Publishable Final Activity Report, EnVIE Co-ordination Action on Indoor Air Quality and
Health Effects. EU Project SSPE-CT-2004-502671.