ASTM D7706-17(2023)
(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
6.1 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.
6.2 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.
6.3 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.
6.4 This practice can also be used to monitor the quality of raw materials for manufacturing processes.
6.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicabilit...
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D7706 − 17 (Reapproved 2023)
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
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
products for their vapor-phase emissions of volatile organic
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde and other carbo-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
nyl compounds. It is intended to complement, not replace
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
reference methods for measuring chemical emissions for
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
example, small-scale chamber tests (Guide D5116) and emis-
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
sion cell tests (Practice D7143).
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 This practice is suitable for use in and outside of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
laboratories, in manufacturing sites and in field locations with
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
access to electrical power.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.3 Compatible material/product types that may be tested in
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
the micro-scale chamber apparatus include rigid materials,
2. Referenced Documents
dried or cured paints and coatings, compressible products, and
small, irregularly-shaped components such as polymer beads.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
1.4 This practice describes tests to correlate emission results
Atmospheres
obtained from the micro-scale chamber with results obtained
D1914 Practice for Conversion Units and Factors Relating to
from VOC emission reference methods (for example, Guide
Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
D5116, Test Method D6007, Practice D7143, and ISO 16000-9
D5116 Guide for Small-Scale Environmental Chamber De-
and ISO 16000-10).
terminations of Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/
1.5 The micro-scale chamber apparatus operates at moder-
Products
ately elevated temperatures, 30 °C to 60 °C, to eliminate the
D5197 Test Method for Determination of Formaldehyde and
need for cooling, to reduce test times, boost emission rates, and
Other Carbonyl Compounds in Air (Active Sampler Meth-
enhance analytical signals for routine emission screening, and
odology)
to facilitate screening of semi-volatile VOC (SVOC) emissions
D5337 Practice for Setting and Verifying the Flow Rate of
such as emissions of some phthalate esters and other plasticiz-
Personal Sampling Pumps
ers.
D6007 Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concen-
1.6 Gas sample collection and chemical analysis are depen-
trations in Air from Wood Products Using a Small-Scale
dent upon the nature of the VOCs targeted and are beyond the
Chamber
scope of this practice. However, the procedures described in
D6196 Practice for Choosing Sorbents, Sampling Param-
Test Method D7339, Practice D6196 and ISO 16000-6 for
eters and Thermal Desorption Analytical Conditions for
analysis of VOCs and in Test Method D5197 and ISO 16000-3
Monitoring Volatile Organic Chemicals in Air
for analysis of formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds
D7143 Practice for Emission Cells for the Determination of
are applicable to this practice.
Volatile Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/
Products
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.05 on Indoor Air. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2023. Published October 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D7706 – 17. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7706-17R23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7706 − 17 (2023)
D7339 Test Method for Determination of Volatile Organic As the gas passes over the test specimen, emitted compounds
Compounds Emitted from Carpet using a Specific Sorbent are swept away from the surface.
Tube and Thermal Desorption / Gas Chromatography
4.3 After the test specimen has equilibrated in the micro-
2.2 ISO Standards:
scale chamber (typically for 20 min to 40 min), a sampling
ISO 16000-3 Determination of formaldehyde and other car-
device is connected to the outlet for collection of vapor-phase
bonyl compounds – Active sampling method
compounds exiting the chamber.
ISO 16000-6 Determination of volatile organic compounds
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
and quality control of VOC emissions from many materials and
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
U.S. 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
5.3 Micro-scale chambers typically are used for measuring
for sampling and analysis of atmospheres, refer to Terminology
area-specific emissions from surfaces. They also can be used to
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
5.5 Specific operating procedures are developed for each
250 mL and designed to operate at moderately elevated tem-
type of material or product. The key parameters of equilibra-
peratures that is used to measure vapor-phase organic emis-
tion time, chamber temperature and inlet gas flow rate are
sions from small specimens of solid materials and products.
optimized in an iterative process starting from typical condi-
3.2.2 control level, n—a user-defined acceptance criterion
tions and then confirmed by the analysis of replicate speci-
for a micro-scale chamber test, for example, presence or mens.
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
4. Principles compatible with micro-scale chambers. VOCs may be col-
lected on sorbent tubes and analyzed by thermal desorption—
4.1 Micro-scale test chambers operate under the same mass
gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometry (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 U.S. EPA Method TO-17. Formal-
products (see Guide D5116 and Practice D7143).
dehyde and other carbonyl compounds may be sampled and
4.2 Clean gas (dry nitrogen or air) is supplied to a micro-
analyzed as described in Test Method D5197 and ISO 16000-3.
scale chamber and passes over the exposed surface of the test
Other analytical techniques such as direct-reading instruments
specimen before reaching the exhaust point. The gas flow rate
may be used if applicable.
and temperature within the micro-scale chamber are controlled.
5.8 This practice describes tests that are used to correlate
emission results obtained from micro-scale chambers to refer-
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
ence results from conventional emission test chambers and
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
cells (that is, Guide D5116, Test Method D6007, Practice
Available from United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), William
D7143). This relationship is then developed and validated to
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460,
http://www.epa.gov. establish a ‘control’ level to evaluate whether the sample is
D7706 − 17 (2023)
likely to be compliant with guidelines or regulations for VOC stream. The chamber body also can accommodate irregularly
emissions that are determined by a reference method—See shaped materials for bulk emission testing.
Section 12.
7.1.5 The typical cylindrical shape, small exposed volume
and associated high air change rate of the micro-scale chamber;
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
(Appendix X1) are designed to optimize turbulence, eliminate
to demonstrate that vapor-phase emissions of chemicals of
still air and ensure thorough mixing of the gas within the
concern from their products under normal use conditions
chamber at the range of flows specified (see 7.4.4). Typically
comply with various voluntary or regulatory acceptance crite-
all of the gas exiting the chamber outlet passes onto the gas
ria. This process typically requires manufacturers to have their
sampling device, further ensuring representative sampling.
products periodically tested for VOC emissions by independent
Recovery tests can be used to demonstrate adequate mixing
laboratories using designated reference test methods (for
(see 8.7.1).
example, Test Method D6007, ISO 16000-9, and ISO 16000-
10). To ensure continuing compliance, manufacturers may opt
7.2 Construction:
to, or be required to, implement screening tests at the produc-
7.2.1 The micro-scale chamber body and associated lid are
tion level.
constructed of polished or inert-coated stainless steel.
6.2 Reference methods for testing chemical emissions from 7.2.2 The gasket or O-ring used to seal the lid to its body
products are rigorous and typically are too time-consuming and
should be low absorbing and low emitting at the operating
impractical for routine emission screening in a production
temperature (≤60 °C) so it does not contribute significantly to
environment.
background VOC concentrations (see 10.2). Gaskets and
O-rings composed of fluoroelastomer polymers are suitable for
6.3 Micro-scale chambers are unique in that their small size
this application.
and operation at moderately elevated temperatures facilitate
7.2.3 The apparatus is designed for disassembly to facilitate
rapid equilibration and shortened testing times. Provided a
cleaning. The chamber body is removed from the heater
sufficiently repeatable correlation with reference test results
housing and the gasket or O-ring is removed from the body.
can be demonstrated, appropriate control levels can be estab-
lished and micro-scale chamber data can be used to monitor
7.3 Heating:
product manufacturing for likely compliance with reference
7.3.1 The chamber body sits in a heater housing that can
acceptance criteria. Enhanced turnaround time for results
evenly heat the chamber body and maintain it at controlled
allows for more timely adjustment of parameters to maintain
temperatures between 30 °C and 60 °C with an accuracy of
consistent production with respect to vapor-phase chemical
61 °C and a precision of 62 °C at the set temperature. The
emissions.
micro-scale chamber lid and air/gas supply also are heated.
7.3.2 The apparatus may provide for elevated heating of
6.4 This practice can also be used to monitor the quality of
raw materials for manufacturing processes. chamber bodies to approximately 100 °C as a cleaning proce-
dure.
6.5 The use of elevated temperatures additionally facilitates
screening tests for emissions of semi-volatile VOCs (SVOCs)
7.4 Gas Supply:
such as some phthalate esters and other plasticizers.
7.4.1 The apparatus includes a means of supplying clean
gas, either dry nitrogen or air to the chambers. Either electronic
7. Apparatus
or mechanical flow controllers are used. The flow rate to each
chamber is individually controlled with an accuracy of 62 %
7.1 General Description:
and a precision of 63 % of the reading.
7.1.1 The micro-scale chamber test apparatus comprises one
or more micro-scale chambers, a means of incubating the 7.4.2 VO
...
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