Mineral mortars, plasters, and screeds - a survey of VOC emission behaviour

Abstract

Mineral construction products for indoor use are considered to emit only low concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Different mortars, plasters and screeds were tested for their VOC emissions. The mixtures were composed as worst-case formulations. Compounds deemed to be critical regarding VOC emissions were applied in higher amounts, higher than in common applications. Emission testing was carried out as emission test chamber experiment. Evaluation of the results was performed according to the German AgBB-scheme (AgBB: Ausschuss zur gesundheitlichen Bewertung von Bauprodukten, Committee for Health-related Evaluation of Building Products). Emission testing started 7 days after preparation of the test specimen. These are harsh conditions but it was the aim of the study to reflect a worst case scenario. Although VOC emissions were generally low, some products would fail the evaluation criteria. For example shrinkage reducers in screeds were emitted in very high concentrations or VOCs emitted from some plasters and mortars in low concentrations, e. g. 2-Butenal, exceed the very low R-values of the AgBB-scheme and the product would be rejected