[Greenbuilding] Sealing in VOC's

[dave s]

Steve,
   
  I see that many have given you suggestions on new paints but I can offer a few ideas for measuring a change in emissions from the application.
   
  First idea (my new company), would be to order a AirHound kit at www.toxair.com to test the room before and after.  I created this device as a low cost approach to air sampling for the homeowner.  It measures VOC in ppm range. Check it out and place an order to sample the room's various contaminants. That's my plug. 
   
  Second idea, probably because this is a very low emitting environment (below 100ppm) and a slightly more direct approach is to rent a ppbRAE meter and perform a head space measurement before and after application of the No-VOC coating.  Check with a company like Raeco to rent. www.raeco.com.
   
  The headspace technique is very intuitive. Buy two smaller mason jars and after painting a test area of the wall with your selected new paint and allowing the recommended drying time, attach the jars w/o lids to the wall using duct tape. Then "cook" the walls using a hair dryer to stimulate offgassing.  You'll have to experiment how long this should be but I would guess from my soil sampling days, 10 minutes max. Then take your now calibrated ppbRAE to the jar that has been painted with the no VOC coating and poke the ppbRAE under the jar lid. See your reading. Then do the same for an area of the untreated wall.  Hopefully you'll see a measurable difference and can make a decision based on that. 
   
  Good Luck,
  Dave Srebro
  Founder, Toxair LLC. 

   
  > At 01:59 PM 8/13/2007, Steve Hussey wrote:
>> I work for a Conservation District and one of my jobs is to advise
>> people on greenbuilding. I have been asked this question:
>>
>> The client has a wife who is very chemically sensitive and is
>> building a new green home. The builder specified, on my
>> recommendation, that low VOC paints and finishes be used throughout.
>> The painters came in and primed all the drywall walls with Rodda
 Varr
>> primer that is high VOC (106 gm/litre. They claimed that people only
>> specify low VOC paints to be 'green' and that using a regular primer
>> is fine. Sigh.
>>
>> The client has asked the question as to whether the VOCs can be
>> sealed in before painting with the low VOC paint, or whether there
>> are any other options. My gut instinct is: Sealing in the VOCs will
>> reduce off gassing but make it take much longer.
>>
>> Maybe he should heat and ventilate the house for a set period prior
>> to occupancy to off gas as much as possible? They do have a whole
>> house HRV to ventilate year round.
>>
>> Maybe they should rip the drywall out of the bedroom at least and
 use
>> fresh drywall and a low VOC primer. I doubt they can afford to rip
>> all the drywall out.
>>
>> Any thoughts? Any way to measure VOC offgassing in the finished
>> building?
>>
>> Steve Hussey
>> Natural Resources Planner
>>