ASTM D7706-11
(Practice)Standard Practice for Rapid Screening of VOC Emissions from Products Using Micro-Scale Chambers
Standard Practice for Rapid Screening of VOC Emissions from Products Using Micro-Scale Chambers
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Manufacturers increasingly are being asked or required to demonstrate that vapor-phase emissions of chemicals of concern from their products under normal use conditions comply with various voluntary or regulatory acceptance criteria. This process typically requires manufacturers to have their products periodically tested for VOC emissions by independent laboratories using designated reference test methods (for example, Test Method D6007, ISO 16000-9, and ISO 16000-10). To ensure continuing compliance, manufacturers may opt to, or be required to, implement screening tests at the production level.
Reference methods for testing chemical emissions from products are rigorous and typically are too time-consuming and impractical for routine emission screening in a production environment.
Micro-scale chambers are unique in that their small size and operation at moderately elevated temperatures facilitate rapid equilibration and shortened testing times. Provided a sufficiently repeatable correlation with reference test results can be demonstrated, appropriate control levels can be established and micro-scale chamber data can be used to monitor product manufacturing for likely compliance with reference acceptance criteria. Enhanced turnaround time for results allows for more timely adjustment of parameters to maintain consistent production with respect to vapor-phase chemical emissions.
This practice can also be used to monitor the quality of raw materials for manufacturing processes.
The use of elevated temperatures additionally facilitates screening tests for emissions of semi-volatile VOCs (SVOCs) such as some phthalate esters and other plasticizers.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes a micro-scale chamber apparatus and associated procedures for rapidly screening materials and products for their vapor-phase emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds. It is intended to complement, not replace reference methods for measuring chemical emissions for example, small-scale chamber tests (Guide D5116) and emission cell tests (Practice D7143).
1.2 This practice is suitable for use in and outside of laboratories, in manufacturing sites and in field locations with access to electrical power.
1.3 Compatible material/product types that may be tested in the micro-scale chamber apparatus include rigid materials, dried or cured paints and coatings, compressible products, and small, irregularly-shaped components such as polymer beads.
1.4 This practice describes tests to correlate emission results obtained from the micro-scale chamber with results obtained from VOC emission reference methods (for example, Guide D5116, Test Method D6007, Practice D7143, and ISO 16000-9 and ISO 16000-10).
1.5 The micro-scale chamber apparatus operates at moderately elevated temperatures, 30°C to 60°C, to eliminate the need for cooling, to reduce test times, boost emission rates, and enhance analytical signals for routine emission screening, and to facilitate screening of semi-volatile VOC (SVOC) emissions such as emissions of some phthalate esters and other plasticizers.
1.6 Gas sample collection and chemical analysis are dependent upon the nature of the VOCs targeted and are beyond the scope of this practice. However, the procedures described in Test Method D7339, Practice D6196 and ISO 16000-6 for analysis of VOCs and in Test Method D5197 and ISO 16000-3 for analysis of formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds are applicable to this practice.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D7706 − 11
Standard Practice for
Rapid Screening of VOC Emissions from Products Using
Micro-Scale Chambers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7706; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
1.1 This practice describes a micro-scale chamber apparatus
standard.
and associated procedures for rapidly screening materials and
products for their vapor-phase emissions of volatile organic
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde and other carbo-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
nyl compounds. It is intended to complement, not replace
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
reference methods for measuring chemical emissions for
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
example, small-scale chamber tests (Guide D5116) and emis-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
sion cell tests (Practice D7143).
1.2 This practice is suitable for use in and outside of
2. Referenced Documents
laboratories, in manufacturing sites and in field locations with
2.1 ASTM Standards:
access to electrical power.
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
1.3 Compatible material/product types that may be tested in
Atmospheres
the micro-scale chamber apparatus include rigid materials,
D1914 PracticeforConversionUnitsandFactorsRelatingto
dried or cured paints and coatings, compressible products, and
Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
small, irregularly-shaped components such as polymer beads.
D5116 Guide for Small-Scale Environmental Chamber De-
1.4 Thispracticedescribesteststocorrelateemissionresults
terminations of Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/
obtained from the micro-scale chamber with results obtained
Products
from VOC emission reference methods (for example, Guide
D5197 Test Method for Determination of Formaldehyde and
D5116,Test Method D6007, Practice D7143, and ISO 16000-9
OtherCarbonylCompoundsinAir(ActiveSamplerMeth-
and ISO 16000-10).
odology)
D6007 TestMethodforDeterminingFormaldehydeConcen-
1.5 The micro-scale chamber apparatus operates at moder-
ately elevated temperatures, 30°C to 60°C, to eliminate the trations in Air from Wood Products Using a Small-Scale
needforcooling,toreducetesttimes,boostemissionrates,and Chamber
enhance analytical signals for routine emission screening, and
D6196 Practice for Selection of Sorbents, Sampling, and
tofacilitatescreeningofsemi-volatileVOC(SVOC)emissions
Thermal Desorption Analysis Procedures for Volatile Or-
such as emissions of some phthalate esters and other plasticiz-
ganic Compounds in Air
ers.
D5337 Practice for Flow RateAdjustment of Personal Sam-
pling Pumps
1.6 Gas sample collection and chemical analysis are depen-
D7143 Practice for Emission Cells for the Determination of
dent upon the nature of the VOCs targeted and are beyond the
Volatile Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/
scope of this practice. However, the procedures described in
Products
Test Method D7339, Practice D6196 and ISO 16000-6 for
analysis ofVOCs and inTest Method D5197 and ISO 16000-3 D7339 Test Method for Determination of Volatile Organic
for analysis of formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds Compounds Emitted from Carpet using a Specific Sorbent
are applicable to this practice. Tube and Thermal Desorption / Gas Chromatography
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.05 on Indoor Air. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved March 1, 2011. Published March 2011. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D7706-11. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7706 − 11
2.2 ISO Standards: 4.3 After the test specimen has equilibrated in the micro-
ISO 16000-3 Determination of formaldehyde and other car- scale chamber (typically for 20-40 minutes), a sampling device
bonyl compounds – Active sampling method is connected to the outlet for collection of vapor-phase com-
ISO 16000-6 Determination of volatile organic compounds pounds exiting the chamber.
in indoor and test chamber air by active sampling on
5. Summary of Practice
Tenax TA sorbent, thermal desorption and gas-
5.1 Micro-scale chambers can be used for rapid screening
chromatography using MS/FID
andqualitycontrolofVOCemissionsfrommanymaterialsand
ISO 16000-9 Indoor air—Part 9: Determination of the emis-
products. Compatible sources include (with examples): rigid
sion of volatile organic compounds – Emission test
materials (plastics, wood-based panels, hard surface flooring),
chamber method
compressible materials (textiles, foams, polymer sheeting),
ISO 16000-10 Indoor air—Part 10: Determination of the
irregularly-shaped materials (polymer components, carpet),
emission of volatile organic compounds – Emission test
and wet-applied products in dried or cured form (for example,
cell method
paints, coatings, adhesives, caulks, sealants).
2.3 Other Standard:
5.2 Representative test specimens are prepared from
US EPA Method TO-17 Determination of volatile organic
material/product samples and are placed directly into micro-
compounds in ambient air using active sampling onto
scale chambers. For samples that are heterogeneous, it is
sorbent tubes
necessary to prepare and test replicate specimens. In some
3. Terminology cases, it may be necessary to precondition samples or speci-
mens prior to testing.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions and terms commonly used
forsamplingandanalysisofatmospheres,refertoTerminology 5.3 Micro-scale chambers typically are used for measuring
area-specificemissionsfromsurfaces.Theyalsocanbeusedto
D1356. For definitions and terms commonly used when testing
determine mass-, length- or unit-specific emission rates from
materials and products for VOC emissions, refer to Guide
variously shaped test specimens.
D5116. For an explanation of general units, symbols and
conversion factors, refer to Practice D1914.
5.4 Chamber bodies are held at moderately elevated tem-
peratures of 30°C to 60°C and typically are supplied with a
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
controlled flow of clean, dry gas, either nitrogen or air.
3.2.1 micro-scale test chamber, n—an environmental test
chamber ranging in volume from a few milliliters to about 150
5.5 Specific operating procedures are developed for each
mL and designed to operate at moderately elevated tempera-
type of material or product. The key parameters of equilibra-
tures that is used to measure vapor-phase organic emissions
tion time, chamber temperature and inlet gas flow rate are
from small specimens of solid materials and products.
optimized in an iterative process starting from typical condi-
tions and then confirmed by the analysis of replicate speci-
3.2.2 control level, n—a user-defined acceptance criterion
mens.
for a micro-scale chamber test, for example, presence or
absence of a target compound and/or a concentration or
5.6 Gas samples for VOCs are collected at the exhaust of
emission rate of a target compound, typically used in produc-
the micro-scale chamber. For ease of use, the entire gas flow
tion quality control to indicate that the tested product sample
exiting the chamber typically passes through the sampling
likely will meet the corresponding acceptance criterion for a
device.
reference test.
5.7 A number of gas sampling and analytical methods are
compatible with micro-scale chambers. VOCs may be col-
4. Principles
lected on sorbent tubes and analyzed by thermal desorption—
4.1 Micro-scale test chambers operate under the same mass
gaschromatography(GC)withmassspectrometry(MS)and/or
transfer principles as conventional small-scale test chambers
flame ionization detection (FID) to identify and quantify
and cells for measuring emissions of VOCs including formal-
compounds as described in Test Method D7339, Practice
dehyde and other carbonyl compounds from materials and
D6196, ISO 16000-6 and US EPA Method TO-17. Formalde-
products (see Guide D5116 and Practice D7143).
hyde and other carbonyl compounds may be sampled and
analyzedasdescribedinTestMethodD5197andISO16000-3.
4.2 Clean gas (dry nitrogen or air) is supplied to a micro-
Other analytical techniques such as direct-reading instruments
scale chamber and passes over the exposed surface of the test
may be used if applicable.
specimen before reaching the exhaust point. The gas flow rate
andtemperaturewithinthemicro-scalechamberarecontrolled.
5.8 This practice describes tests that are used to correlate
As the gas passes over the test specimen, emitted compounds
emission results obtained from micro-scale chambers to refer-
are swept away from the surface.
ence results from conventional emission test chambers and
cells (that is, Guide D5116, Test Method D6007, Practice
D7143). This relationship is then developed and validated to
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
establish a ‘control’ level to evaluate whether the sample is
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
likely to be compliant with guidelines or regulations for VOC
Available from United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ariel
emissions that are determined by a reference method—See
Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460, http://
www.epa.gov. Section 12.
D7706 − 11
6. Significance and Use together with the positioning of the gas inlet and outlet
perpendicular to the sample surface for a planar specimen
6.1 Manufacturers increasingly are being asked or required
(Annex A) are designed to optimize turbulence, eliminate still
to demonstrate that vapor-phase emissions of chemicals of
air and ensure thorough mixing of the gas within the chamber
concern from their products under normal use conditions
at the range of flows specified (see 7.4.4). Typically all of the
comply with various voluntary or regulatory acceptance crite-
gas exiting the chamber outlet passes onto the gas sampling
ria. This process typically requires manufacturers to have their
device, further ensuring representative sampling. Recovery
productsperiodicallytestedforVOCemissionsbyindependent
tests can be used to demonstrate adequate mixing (see 8.7.1).
laboratories using designated reference test methods (for
example, Test Method D6007, ISO 16000-9, and ISO 16000- 7.2 Construction:
10). To ensure continuing compliance, manufacturers may opt 7.2.1 The micro-scale chamber body and associated lid are
to, or be required to, implement screening tests at the produc- constructed of polished or inert-coated stainless steel.
tion level. 7.2.2 The gasket or O-ring used to seal the lid to its body is
low absorbing and low emitting at the operating temperature
6.2 Reference methods for testing chemical emissions from
(≤60°C) so it does not contribute significantly to background
productsarerigorousandtypicallyaretootime-consumingand
VOCconcentrations.(see10.2)GasketsandO-ringscomposed
impractical for routine emission screening in a production
of fluoroelastomer polymers are suitable for this application.
environment.
7.2.3 The apparatus is designed for easy disassembly to
6.3 Micro-scale chambers are unique in that their small size
facilitate cleaning. The chamber body is easily removed from
and operation at moderately elevated temperatures facilitate
the heater housing and the gasket or O-ring is easily removed
rapid equilibration and shortened testing times. Provided a
from the body.
sufficiently repeatable correlation with reference test results
7.3 Heating:
can be demonstrated, appropriate control levels can be estab-
7.3.1 The chamber body sits in a heater housing that can
lished and micro-scale chamber data can be used to monitor
evenly heat the chamber body and maintain it at controlled
product manufacturing for likely compliance with reference
temperatures between 30°C and 60°C with an accuracy of
acceptance criteria. Enhanced turnaround time for results
61°C and a precision of 62°C at the set temperature. The
allows for more timely adjustment of parameters to maintain
micro-scale chamber lid and air/gas supply also are heated.
consistent production with respect to vapor-phase chemical
7.3.2 The apparatus may provide for elevated heating of
emissions.
chamber bodies to approximately 100°C as a cleaning proce-
6.4 This practice can also be used to monitor the quality of
dure.
raw materials for manufacturing processes.
7.4 Gas Supply:
6.5 The use of elevated temperatures additionally facilitates
7.4.1 The apparatus includes a means of supplying clean
screening tests for emissions of semi-volatile VOCs (SVOCs)
gas,eitherdrynitrogenorairtothechambers.Eitherelectronic
such as some phthalate esters and other plasticizers.
or mechanical flow controllers are used. The flow rate to each
chamber is individually controlled with an accuracy of 62%
7. Apparatus
and a precision of 63 % of the reading.
7.1 General Description:
7.4.2 VOC levels in the gas supply are sufficiently low so
7.1.1 Themicro-scalechambertestapparatuscomprisesone
that specified background levels can be achieved (see 10.2.2).
or more micro-scale chambers, a means of incubating the
7.4.3 For some applications, it may be necessary to provide
micro-scale chamber(s) at controlled temperature, a regulated
a means of humidifying the inlet gas stream. Water used for
clean gas (nitrogen or air) supply system with optional
humidification is of sufficient purity such that VOC back-
humidification, gas sampling capabilities, and instrumentation
ground requirements (see 10.2.2) can be achieved.
for control, monitoring and recording of conditions.
7.4.4 Inletgasflowratesbetweenapproximately30and500
7.1.2 A chamber is typically cylindrical in shape to accom-
mL/min are required depending upon application (see 8.4).
modate an O-ring seal and ranges in total volume from a few
7.5 Integrity:
milliliters to about 150 mL depending upon the mode of
7.5.1 During operation with or without a gas sampling
operation, that is, chamber mode for bulk sample emission
device attached to the outlet, the chamber is consid
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