Long term emissions from two glued carpets with different backings measured in Indoor air

Abstract

The organic emissions caused by identical carpets, which had different backings (polyurethane and latex) and had been glued to the floor with the same waterborne glue in an inhabitated older house were studied. Quantitatively the most important compounds were cyclohexane at levels of 3–7 mg m⁻³ and 1,2‐propyleneglycol diacetate (PGDA) at levels of about 3 mg m⁻³. Both volatile organic compounds (VOC) were emitted from the glue. A different pattern of VOC was found to be emitted from the two carpets. The level of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) remained increased for more than one month, and cyclohexane and PGDA were measured at concentrations above levels usually found in houses for more than one year. Adverse health effects are not expected as the data for these compounds do not indicate a considerable toxicological potential.