ASTM D6803-19

5.1 Latex paints, alkyd paints, and primers are used as coatings for walls, wooden trim, and furnishings in occupied buildings. Paint may be applied to large surface areas and may be applied repeatedly during the lifetime of a building. VOCs are emitted from paint after application to surfaces.

5.2 Many other types of architectural coatings may be used in large quantities indoors in buildings. In particular, many different types of coatings are used for floors including wood floor stains and finishes and concrete sealers, hardeners, and stains. Two component finishes are often mixed on site and are applied to floors and other surfaces to create a finished surface.

5.3 There is a need for standardized procedures for measuring the emissions of VOCs from paint and coating samples that can be reproduced by different laboratories and that can used for the assessment of the acceptability of VOC emissions from paints and coatings that are intended for use indoors in occupied spaces. This practice describes standardized procedures that can be incorporated into test methods used for the purpose of estimating the impacts of cured paints and coatings on indoor air quality. Different procedures are required for the estimation of VOC exposures to workers applying such products.

1.1 This practice describes procedures for testing the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and other carbonyl compounds, from alkyd paint, latex paint, primer, and other architectural coating samples using a small-scale environmental chamber test facility.

1.2 This practice describes the requirements for the chamber test facility, the small-scale test chamber, the clean air supply system, the environmental controls, the environmental monitoring and data acquisition system, and the chamber air sampling system.

1.3 This practice describes procedures for documenting the paint and coating samples and for the handling and storage of these samples including splitting of samples into smaller containers for storage and subsequent testing.

1.4 This practice identifies appropriate substrates to be used for the preparation of test specimens of paints and coatings, as well as procedures for preparing substrates for use.

1.5 This practice provides detailed procedures for preparing test specimens of paint and coating samples.

1.6 This practice generally describes chamber test procedures and chamber air sampling procedures. The details of these procedures are dependent upon the objectives of the test.

1.7 This practice does not recommend specific methods for sampling and analysis of VOCs, formaldehyde, and other carbonyl compounds. The appropriate methods are dependent upon the objectives of the test.

1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.