title: Exposure to fluoropolymers and VOCs during spray sealant product use.
abstract: Fluoropolymer based tile and fabric spray sealants were evaluated for the release of airborne fluoropolymer constituents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during typical product use scenarios in a simulated bathroom and a simulated recreational vehicle. Fluoride was quantified after oxygen bomb digestion of airborne spray collected from personal, area, and surface samples. VOCs were quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography/flame ionization spectrometry (GC/FID). Tile grout sealant contained approximately 1% acrylic fluoropolymer resin and 90% VOCs not including propellants. VOCs were short- and medium- chain methylated isoparaffinic hydrocarbons. When horizontally spraying a bathroom shower floor, grout spray sealant released a non-detectable amount of fluoride (<0.8 µg/m3) and 400-1400 mg/m3 total VOCs. When vertically spraying a shower wall, up to 2.0 µg/m3 of fluoride and from 1000 to 2300 mg/m3 total VOCs were detected. Fabric spray sealant contained 1% acrylic fluoropolymer resin and approximately 90% VOCs including perchloroethylene (PERC). Fabric spray released from 0.5 to 2.3 µg/m3 fluoride inside a recreational vehicle in the absence of crosswinds and less than 0.5 µg/m3 fluoride in the presence of a 10 mph crosswind. VOC release measured 240-938 mg/m3 without crosswinds and 161-522 mg/m3 with crosswinds. These studies show that fluoropolymer constituents from fluorinated spray sealants were near non-detectable levels in the breathing zone in nearly all samples while VOCs were measured at elevated levels (>400 mg/m3). The toxicological consequences of elevated VOCs during sealant spraying and the effects of certain fluoropolymer constituents are discussed.
authors: MAS, LLC (Materials Analytical Services), Suwanee, GA 30024, USA. mrigler@mastest.com
authors: Mark W
authors: MW
authors: Rigler
authors: William E
authors: WE
authors: Longo
authors: Mitchell W
authors: MW
authors: Sauerhoff
mesh_terms: D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005410:Flame Ionization / Q000379:methods; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D057230:Limit of Detection; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds