Exposure to fluoropolymers and VOCs during spray sealant product use

Inhal Toxicol. 2011 Sep;23(11):641-57. doi: 10.3109/08958378.2011.603764.

Abstract

Fluoropolymer based tile and fabric spray sealants were evaluated for the release of airborne fluoropolymer constituents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during typical product use scenarios in a simulated bathroom and a simulated recreational vehicle. Fluoride was quantified after oxygen bomb digestion of airborne spray collected from personal, area, and surface samples. VOCs were quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography/flame ionization spectrometry (GC/FID). Tile grout sealant contained approximately 1% acrylic fluoropolymer resin and 90% VOCs not including propellants. VOCs were short- and medium- chain methylated isoparaffinic hydrocarbons. When horizontally spraying a bathroom shower floor, grout spray sealant released a non-detectable amount of fluoride (<0.8 µg/m3) and 400-1400 mg/m3 total VOCs. When vertically spraying a shower wall, up to 2.0 µg/m3 of fluoride and from 1000 to 2300 mg/m3 total VOCs were detected. Fabric spray sealant contained 1% acrylic fluoropolymer resin and approximately 90% VOCs including perchloroethylene (PERC). Fabric spray released from 0.5 to 2.3 µg/m3 fluoride inside a recreational vehicle in the absence of crosswinds and less than 0.5 µg/m3 fluoride in the presence of a 10 mph crosswind. VOC release measured 240-938 mg/m3 without crosswinds and 161-522 mg/m3 with crosswinds. These studies show that fluoropolymer constituents from fluorinated spray sealants were near non-detectable levels in the breathing zone in nearly all samples while VOCs were measured at elevated levels (>400 mg/m3). The toxicological consequences of elevated VOCs during sealant spraying and the effects of certain fluoropolymer constituents are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air / analysis
  • Air Pollutants / adverse effects*
  • Consumer Product Safety*
  • Flame Ionization / methods
  • Fluorocarbon Polymers / adverse effects*
  • Fluorocarbon Polymers / analysis
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Inhalation Exposure
  • Limit of Detection
  • Nebulizers and Vaporizers
  • Solvents / adverse effects
  • Solvents / analysis
  • Spectrophotometry, Atomic / methods
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / analysis

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Fluorocarbon Polymers
  • Solvents
  • Volatile Organic Compounds