Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

SAMPLE CHART FOR PRODUCT HAZARDOUS VOC/CHEMICALIDENTIFICATIONFigure 5Furthermore, the IAQ community is currently engaged in discussions about standardsand quality control for chamber testing. Until these standards are developed,agreed upon, and implemented, review test result data with care and with theunderstanding that the data from different laboratories and from different equipmentmay not produce equivalent results.– Determine the odor characteristics of the priority material, product, or furnitureitem. While odors may indicate a health-related IAQ problem, not all odors presenta health risk. Nevertheless, be cautious initially about specifying products that emitstrong odors, as they may indicate a potential and perceptual IAQ problem.❑ Based on the above information, determine if the priority material item is:– Acceptable—that is, it meets the project criteria for odor and contaminant concentration,as discussed above; the TVOC and individual VOC concentrations are nothazardous, based on regulatory and guidance lists; and the material will not significantlycontribute to MVOC emissions.– Acceptable in a specific location or condition only.– Acceptable with modifications by the material manufacturer.– Acceptable only when temporary construction ventilation is provided duringinstallation.– Unacceptable—that is, none of the above criteria can be satisfied or, because ofinsufficient information, “prudent avoidance” is appropriate.❑ Take steps to control the MVOC contribution to the indoor air from materials,products, and furniture.Since moisture and condensation allow molds and bacteria to start growing on the surfaceof indoor materials, finishes, products, ventilation ducts, and insulation materials,the primary methods to control microbial growth are controlling the interior temperatureand humidity and removing the source of potential contamination. Source controlto limit MVOC may be the primary method since the research has shown thatincreased ventilation may only produce limited results. 1 7 Source control can beachieved by the use of simple design and specification techniques: 18– Specify materials that are resistant to microbial growth especially in areas wheremoisture can support the growth of fungi.– Encapsulate materials such as insulation that might support microbial growth.– Require in project specifications that if any material susceptible to microbial growthbecomes wet during the construction phase, that material should be carefully removedfrom the construction site to prevent further contamination of the indoor air.