Volatile organic compound emissions from solvent- and water-borne coatings – compositional differences and tracer compound identifications

Abstract. The emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from chemical products (VCPs) – specifically personal care products, cleaning agents, coatings, adhesives, and pesticides are emerging as the largest source petroleum-derived carbon in US cities. Previous work has shown that ambient concentration markers for most VCP categories correlates strongly with population density, except VOCs predominantly originating solvent- water-borne coatings (e.g., parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF) Texanol®, respectively). Instead, these enhancements were dominated by distinct emission events likely driven industrial usage patterns, such construction activity. In this work, headspace a variety coating was analyzed using proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) gas chromatography (GC) preseparation front end to identify composition differences various types paints, primers, sealers, stains). Evaporation experiments several showed high initial VOC rates, length experiments, majority emitted during first few hours following application. percentage measured (<1 % 83 %) mirrored content reported manufacturer (<5 550 g L?1). Ambient laboratory measurements, trends, ingredients compiled architectural surveys show both PCBTF Texanol account ?10 total ingredient sales and, therefore, can be useful tracers coatings.