Standard Test Method for the Determination of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Polyurethane Foam

Note: The standards development activity, scope and project need of this Notice of Intent (originally published on September 4, 2024) was updated by the responsible SDO on November 13, 2024.

This Standard has been developed for the assessment of volatile organic compound emissions from polyurethane foam materials used in residential and nonresidential occupancies. It outlines a test procedure for the determination of volatile organic compounds from the specimen and explains why certain test conditions have been selected.

This laboratory test method is based on ASTM D5116 and ASTM D8142, which describes a procedure using small-scale environmental chambers to determine volatile organic compound emissions from a variety of materials including Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation.

The chamber methodology only presents a simple picture of the complex nature and interactions of emissions that may exist in home and work environments. However, data from the chamber procedure is useful for identifying potential sources of chemicals that may adversely affect the health of the occupants. Therefore, the results from these tests cannot fully represent "real life" conditions and they will err on the side of conservatism.

The test method specifies recommended procedures for the use of test chambers to evaluate emissions from the material at a point in time following its installation. The test method contains the following:

a) A dynamic chamber procedure for characterizing the rate of volatile organic compound emissions from the material; and

b) A methodology for calculating the estimated indoor air concentrations of volatile organic compounds based on the results of dynamic chamber testing.

The dynamic chamber procedure measures the typical VOC emission profile of the material commencing 24 h after installation and continuing for 30 d thereafter.

The results of the dynamic chamber procedure are used to calculate indoor air VOC concentration profiles and to determine the acceptability of the material for retrofit use.

The dynamic chamber procedure is a more complex evaluation of the material when the normal 30 d minimum time to occupancy associated with new construction is not provided (e.g. occupied buildings).

In these special cases (e.g. occupied buildings), the application and installation standard will provide the requirements for isolation and ventilation, if necessary. The test results of the dynamic chamber procedure will determine the length of time that these requirements are necessary.

The methodology for assessing the acceptability of the material utilizes comparison of the estimated indoor air concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with permissible concentrations published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Health Canada and/or a Human Health Risk Assessment Report (HHRA) by a licensed Toxicologist.

This test method can also be used to measure the emissions from SPF insulation samples that are collected from building sites where the insulation has already been applied. Potential uses of such measurements include investigations of odor complaints after product application. However, the specific details of odor investigations and other indoor air quality (IAQ) investigations are outside of the scope of this test method.