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Polyurethane (PUR) soft foams release malodorous and potentially toxic compounds
when exposed to oxidative conditions. Current chamber test methods cannot distinguish between
pre-existing volatiles and those formed during oxidation, nor can they assess the formation rates
of oxidation products. We subjected PUR soft foam to oxidative treatment in a continuous air
flow at 120 ◦C. Emissions were convectively transferred from the foam to an exhaust port and
analyzed using a thermodesorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) system,
with external calibration employed for the quantification of selected analytes. The study identified
hydroperoxide formation and degradation as key mechanisms in the breakdown of the polyether soft
segments. This process predominantly produces volatiles, such as carboxylic acids, formates, acetates,
alpha-hydroxy-ketones, (unsaturated) aldehydes, substituted dioxolanes and dioxanes, glycols,
and allyl ethers. Volatiles associated with the degradation of the hard segments include aniline,
benzoxazole, 2-methylbenzoxazole, and benzaldehyde. This experimental setup enables reproducible
qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatiles formed during the oxidative degradation of PUR
soft foams, providing new insights into the segment-dependent chemical pathways of the polymer’s
molecular breakdown.
VOC EMISSIONS FROM PARTICLE FILTERING HALF MASKS – METHODS, RISKS AND NEED FOR FURTHER ACTION
(2021)
Investigations into volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from polymer fleeces used in particle filtering
half masks were conducted and evaluated against the German hygienic guide value for total volatile organic com-
pounds and the “Lowest Concentration of Interest” for construction products. All masks showed emission of Xy-
lene. In 94 % of samples, up to 24 additional aromatic compounds were found. 17 % of samples showed terpenes,
53 % emitted aldehydes, 77 % exhibited caprolactam and 98 % released siloxanes. All masks exceeded the TVOC
hygienic guidance value level 5 of 10 mg/m³. Emission levels were investigated for masks immediately after their
packages were opened and for masks that were “vented” for two weeks. Further, the emissions were repeatedly
measured to investigate the decrease of emissions. An exponential decline was observed and a fitting function was
calculated. The influence of the two commonly gas chromatograph (GC) hyphenated detectors, mass spectrometer
(MS) and flame ionization detector (FID) on the VOC quantification, as well as the influence of temperature on
the emission of VOCs were investigated. A statistical analysis of emission value differences for Notified Bodies
was conducted and CE 2163 and 2020-1XG proved to be outliers.