ANSI: Standards Offer Protection from Volatile Organic Compounds
December 13, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS
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The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA International) released ANSI/BIFMA M7.1-2007 - Standard Test Method for Determining Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions from Office Furniture Systems, Components and Seating, and ANSI/BIFMA X7.1-2007 - Standard for Formaldehyde and Total VOC (TVOC) Emissions of Low-Emitting Office Furniture Systems and Seating.
The two American national standards will provide users with a basis for characterizing the initial release of VOCs from office furniture systems, and will harmonize VOC emissions testing standards, creating benefits that will also extend into other industries.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOCs are the primary cause of sick building syndrome, where occupants experience acute health and wellness effects that are linked to their time spent inside a particular building.
Emitted as gases from both solids and liquids, VOCs are present in a wide array of products, from paints and fuels to building materials and furnishings.
On a related note, ASTM International released ASTM D6345-98(2004)e1 - Standard Guide for Selection of Methods for Active, Integrative Sampling of VOCs in Air. This document provides guidance on air sampling methods, helping users to measure indoor VOC levels. ASTM D6345-98(2004)e1 could decrease the effects of sick building syndrome by enabling the identification and mitigation of VOCs in an indoor environment.
Last year, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) announced its receipt of a grant to write an advanced indoor air quality (IAQ) design guide for non-residential buildings. ASHRAE expects the design guide to improve indoor air quality performance, increase energy efficiency and decrease the environmental impact of exposure to air toxins like VOCs.
The toxicity of VOCs varies widely, from those that can cause acute reactions to those with no known health and wellness effects. According to ANSI, consumers are advised to take steps to reduce their exposure by following label instructions carefully, discarding old or unneeded chemicals like paints and fuels and using all chemicals in a well-ventilated area.
Source: American National Standards Institute (ANSI).