Development and validation of a novel surface emission sampler for in-situ characterization of sources of indoor air pollution in non-industrial microenvironments : Soheil Rastan.

Similar to passive exposure to cigarette smoke, building occupants, in homes and in offices, are passively exposed to volatile organic compounds that are being emitted form surfaces of interior finishes and furnishings. Identifying emissions from surfaces of interior finishes and furnishings requires in-situ sampling. Interior finishes and furnishings used in homes and offices are many and varied. Current available methods used for sampling surface emissions from interior finishes and furnishings require the use of environmental chambers in laboratory settings. The in-situ applications of these lab-based chambers are limited. A novel method for in-situ surface emission sampling is needed. This thesis presents the development and validation of a novel surface emission sampler, the Kappa. Emissions from an interior carpet sample were captured using three different samplers, an ASTM-based chamber, a Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC) and the novel Kappa. Results were compared qualitatively and quantitatively. Based on the results obtained, the Kappa and the FLEC were comparable in their relative responses with each other and against the ASTM chamber. The Kappa, however, sampled emissions in-situ, whereas the ASTM and the FLEC sampled emissions under laboratory settings. As an in-situ surface emission sampler, the Kappa was able to estimate the contribution of an interior finish such as a carpet to indoor air pollution in real indoor conditions. The Kappa could thus provide representative, appropriate and necessary field data that are required to justify implementation of site-specific remedial action. The latter would help reduce the burden of, and occupants' exposure to emissions from interior finishes and furnishings in non-industrial microenvironments