Are Low or Zero VOC products tested over the long term?
user-980027
| Posted in Green Products and Materials on
I attended an indoor air class at the National Green Building Conference in Salt Lake last week. I was informed all testing of off gassing products is done when the product is “wet” at 24 hours and 96 hours. How is this information relevant to clients who don’t occupy the home for weeks after the products are installed? Does a toxic product like lacquer have any off gassing after 30 days?
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Replies
Brian,
Everything I've read supports the idea that VOC levels decrease over time. That means that if the VOCs emitted by a product are safe after 96 hours, the product will be even safer in 30 days.
This is consistent with common sense. The "V" in "VOC" stands for "volatile." It refers to chemicals which evaporate readily. Of course, as VOCs evaporate, they disperse. Over time, the rate of evaporation necessarily diminishes.
Martin, Thanks, so in my opinion it is better to use a product baised upon its durability and cost over the VOC rating when considering the benifits to the client, not the benifits of the installer. Which is another series of considerations and duscussions.
Low or No VOC materials do not mean non-toxic, just not volatile. Much of the chemicals and additives to these products may be residual in the body over time. The high VOC paints and finishes of yesteryear were easily and readily processed and therefore eliminated by the liver, but many materials like formaldehyde and vinyl additives can have long lasting effects due to the bodies' inability to move them through. I think time will tell that many things considered green will not turn out to be so.......
I think Brain Poster has sniffed too many VOC's based upon his spelling..........