Problems and challenges associated with estimating the emissions of organic compounds from indoor materials

For several years intensive research has been carried out with the aim of developing a database of the types and amounts of pollutants released from indoor materials to the indoor environment. The paper discusses in detail basic problems and challenges encountered when estimating the emissions of chemical compounds released from of indoor materials. Factors affecting the validity of data obtained by using two different types of analytical devices operating in a dynamic mode (the ex-situ methods) or passive mode (the in-situ methods) for collecting the analytes samples from the gaseous phase were discussed. The main advantages and important limitations of specific analytical devices and aspects of the morphology of the studied indoor material that may influence the type and amount of chemical compounds released into the air were also highlighted. Attention has also been drawn to challenges encountered when developing candidate reference materials dedicated for measuring emissions from indoor matrices.