Emission Test Chamber meets European standards for VOC

Emission Test Chamber meets European standards for VOC Safety has become a paramount concern for all manufacturers. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) are emitted from all products and manufacturers need to understand the extent of these emissions, many of which are difficult to detect as they may be odourless. The only way to do this is to test and measure. The new Weiss Gallenkamp chamber gives manufacturers the confidence that they understand the VOC emissions from their products. Over the last 20 years greater concern has arisen to potential health problems occurring due to VOC’s within all environments and the possible sensitisation of the population. Vapour-phase organic chemicals volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOC's & SVOC's) are present, at varying concentrations, in all atmospheres. Toxicity Many of them are toxic (known to pose a risk to human health) and have strictly regulated limit levels. Other species, like organic sulphides, may not present a direct health risk but may still cause discomfort because of their low odour threshold. Given that the toxicity and odour thresholds of different organic chemicals range over several orders of magnitude, it is not generally possible to assess the impact of SVOC pollution in any given atmosphere by measuring the total or overall concentration of organic vapours. The chemicals of interest cover a wide volatility range and many compound types (hydrocarbons, acids, glycol ethers, halocarbons, phthalates, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ethers, ketones, amines, monoterpenes, nitrogenated compounds, sulphates, etc.) They are present in materials at levels from low ppb to high percent. New Test Chamber Weiss Gallenkamp has brought to the environmental test market a leading-edge product. The new chamber developed in partnership with a number of automobile manufacturers, is designed to test materials under extreme conditions and to detect volatile organic compounds. Materials and products used in vehicle doors and interiors need to be evaluated for possible release of toxic and/or odorous VOCs and SVOCs to ensure the safety and comfort of occupants. Similar tests may be required on all consumer products once new chemicals legislation (REACH) is introduced across Europe. Standards Other standards now exist, the latest of which is DIN 75-201, specifying the measuring method including the method of analysis for plastics, chemicals, building materials, textiles, furniture, electronics, sports equipment or clothing and so on. Further work has been undertaken at European level with a European Concerted Action working group, investigating “Air Quality and its Impact on Man.” Regulations such as the EU Construction Products Directive and new health-based evaluation protocols, for example; the AgBB procedure for flooring (Germany) and the Californian ‘CHPS’ program for school building / furnishing projects) are putting additional pressure on construction product manufacturers to test emissions as part of routine QA/QC. Similar issues affect the electronics business – with materials emissions, particularly of semi-volatiles, causing quality issues during clean room fabrication and assembly of PC/electronics components. Specifications The Weiss Gallenkamp chamber comes in two standard sizes, 1000 litres and 200 litres and operates within the temperature range of +20 degree to +130 degree C with relative humidity up to 95%. Other sizes are available on request up to 4000 litres. The chamber has an emission free test space with a specially designed drive mechanism for the circulating air fan. The internal air-chamber surfaces are electro polished to 0.5 microns and pressure proofed to ±10 mbar. Desorption heating is used to reduce the surface tension of the inner surfaces and hence reducing the absorption of the compounds into the inner air chamber. Weiss Gallenkamp has brought to the environmental test chamber market a leading-edge prod

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