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Re: GBlist: IAQ



Matthew:
A number of factors need to be worked in here. First, formaldehyde
emissions from the materials brought into the system by the builder will
decay with time. Some types of particleboard, for example initially emit at
fairly high levels for a few weeks as the unbound formaldehyde in the
surface layers evaporates, and then emit at much lower levels over longer
periods (half-life of years) as formaldehyde diffuses through the matrix.
Second, when people move in, they bring a lot of formaldehyde-bearing
materials with them. Emissions from these sources also have characteristic
decays with time. The builder position would want a measurement
representative of an empty building. The homeowner position would want a
measurement representative of their potential exposure. Both parties,
however, have incentives to complete the sale. Third, urban atmospheres are
messy things containing formaldehyde (plus other interferences) that could
affect interpretations at certain times of year. 

Product testing, regardless of the criterion level, is a good start. It
sets a positive tone for product stewardship, and puts information on the
table. If you're within a factor of two of an action level and you start to
squint, you're trying to solve the wrong problem. The central issue (in my
humble opinion) is the cultural need for simplicity. There are thousands of
chemicals of concern, and we seem to want to do this the same way that
Felix Unger plays Parcheesi.

By the way, the  "possibly causing cancer " annotation, if memory serves,
is traceable to a single mouse who developed a nasal carcinoma in tox
testing conducted in the early 80s...

... Harry
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