[Greenbuilding] Sealing in VOC's

[Andrew Pace, CSI]

Just curious Dave, does your kit test for all VOC's or just the EPA
regulated VOC's?  What about the meter?


Andrew J. Pace, CSI
Safe Building Solutions
Waukesha, WI 53189

 


On 8/14/07 3:36 PM, "dave s" <davids771 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> 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.
>