Field evaluation of five volatile organic compound measurement techniques: Implications for green building decision making

Abstract

Measurements of volatile organic compounds can be necessary to ensure healthy indoor environments. Many methods exist to collect and analyze volatile organic compounds, and each technique is associated with characteristic issues that affect the identification and quantification of some volatile organic compounds. In this study, simultaneous samples of volatile organic compounds were collected during 30 test visits in 14 retail stores. Time-integrated measurements were made using Summa canisters, Tenax-GR sorbent tubes, and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine tubes. Time-resolved measurements were collected using photoionization detectors and colorimetric formaldehyde multimode monitors. Sampling with Summa canisters is less field intensive than with sorbent tubes; however, samples collected using Tenax-GR sorbent tubes indicated more possible exceedances of health guidelines compared to Summa canister samples. Photoionization detector total volatile organic compound concentrations were not directly correlated with Summa canister results even after correction for differential response to different volatile organic compounds. Formaldehyde monitor results were strongly correlated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine tube results for formaldehyde, and the two sampling techniques agreed on all exceedances of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chronic recommended exposure limit (16 ppb) but not on exceedances of the stricter Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment chronic recommended exposure limit (7.3 ppb) at two stores. The formaldehyde monitor showed promising characteristics, supporting its further consideration as an indicator to control ventilation and/or environmental parameters in buildings where formaldehyde concentrations are of concern. The variation in results from various volatile organic compound sampling approaches can lead to different compliance levels with green building standards for a single building.