VOC emissions from a LIFE reference: Small chamber tests and factorial studies

A liquid-inner tube diffusion-film-emission (LIFE) reference was developed to quickly evaluate the performance of a chamber system for furniture/building material VOC emission tests. The reference has a constant emission rate determined by an analytical balance at typical temperature and relative humidity conditions, and is able to provide predictable concentrations in a chamber testing system. A 51 L stainless steel chamber was used to test the LIFE referenceʹs performance at an air temperature of 23 °C with 50% RH. Factorial studies of the LIFE referenceʹs emission under various temperatures (10 °C, 23 °C and 30 °C) and relative humidities (33%, 50% and 70%) showed that the emission rate is sensitive to the chamber environment. A numerical regression equation was developed to describe the impact of chamber temperature, relative humidity and their interaction on the referenceʹs emission, with the difference between prediction and testing results of less than 6% at 23 °C and 30 °C.