Influence of temperature on the emission of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) from PVC flooring in the emission cell FLEC

Environ Sci Technol. 2012 Jan 17;46(2):909-15. doi: 10.1021/es2035625. Epub 2012 Jan 4.

Abstract

Emissions of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) from one type of polyvinylchloride (PVC) flooring with approximately 13% (w/w) DEHP as plasticizer were measured in the Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC). The gas-phase concentrations of DEHP versus time were measured at air flow rate of 450 mL·min(-1) and five different temperatures: 23 °C, 35 °C, 47 °C, 55 °C, and 61 °C. The experiments were terminated two weeks to three months after steady-state was reached and the interior surface of the FLECs was rinsed with methanol to determine the surface concentration of DEHP. The most important findings are (1) DEHP steady-state concentrations increased greatly with increasing temperature (0.9 ± 0.1 μg·m(-3), 10 ± 1 μg·m(-3), 38 ± 1 μg·m(-3), 91 ± 4 μg·m(-3), and 198 ± 5 μg·m(-3), respectively), (2) adsorption to the chamber walls decreased greatly with increasing temperature (measured partition coefficient between FLEC air and interior surface are: 640 ± 146 m, 97 ± 20 m, 21 ± 5 m, 11 ± 2 m, and 2 ± 1 m, respectively), (3) gas-phase DEHP concentration in equilibrium with the vinyl flooring surface is close to the vapor pressure of pure DEHP, and (4) with an increase of temperature in a home from 23 to 35 °C, the amount of DEHP in the gas- and particle-phase combined is predicted to increase almost 10-fold. The amount in the gas-phase increases by a factor of 24 with a corresponding decrease in the amount on the airborne particles.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollution, Indoor / analysis*
  • Diethylhexyl Phthalate / chemistry*
  • Environmental Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Floors and Floorcoverings*
  • Housing
  • Models, Chemical
  • Polyvinyl Chloride / chemistry*
  • Temperature*
  • Time
  • Vapor Pressure
  • Volatilization

Substances

  • Polyvinyl Chloride
  • Diethylhexyl Phthalate