The Impact of a Non-adhesive Floating Installation Method on Emissions and Indoor Concentrations of VOCs

The effects of using a non-adhesive floating method for the installation of wallpaper and plywood flooring on emissions and indoor concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in full-scale test rooms were investigated. The emissions of VOCs from the wallpaper, plywood flooring, adhesives and composite materials were measured in a small-scale chamber. Toluene was the major VOC detected from the adhesives for both the wallpaper and plywood flooring. The thin and porous characteristics of wallpaper allowed a rapid emission of toluene from the adhesive applied on the wall composite materials; whereas, the thick and complex composition of the plywood flooring appeared to slow down the emission of toluene. The thickness and diffusion characteristics of the finishing materials can affect the appearance and emissions from the adhesive applied.