ASTM D6803-02(2007)

Latex and alkyd paints 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.

There is a need for data on emissions from paint. The data can be used to compare emissions from different products. The data may be used to assist manufacturers in reducing or eliminating VOC emissions from their products. The data may be used to predict concentrations of VOCs in a room or building when used with appropriate indoor air quality models.

Standard test practices and procedures are needed for the comparison of emissions data from different laboratories.

1.1 This practice provides procedures for preparing test samples of alkyd primer, alkyd paint, latex primer, or latex paint applied to building materials such as gypsum wallboard, wood, or engineered wood products and procedures for sampling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from those test samples. Emissions are sampled from small environmental chambers operated under controlled conditions.

1.2 This practice describes procedures for preparation of test specimens by application of primer or paint to common building materials. Use of the procedures described in this practice for tests with other application methods or substrates may affect the results and not meet the criteria recommended in the practice.

1.3 This practice describes procedures for collection of VOCs on sorbent tubes and carbonyl compounds on silica gel treated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) that require analytical methods for measurement of individual organic compound concentrations. This practice does not describe the detailed procedures of analytical methods, but refers to published methods for these analyses.

1.4 This practice describes procedures for testing and sampling VOCs emitted from paint under controlled conditions. The test conditions, when combined with analytical data, can be used to calculate emission rates. This practice does not recommend a method for the calculations.

1.5 Values stated in the International System of Units (SI) are to be regarded as the standard.

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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.