The importance of air velocity and ventilation in determining chemical emission from building materials.

The emission factors from solvent based paint on stainless steel plates have been studied in three different climate controlled rooms. After equilibrium conditions had been achieved in these rooms, the results were practically the same. The study shows that the effects of sorption, changes in ventilation and air velocity do not affect the results, and it is thus possible to develop a calculation model which can incorporate emission factors. The results will have relevance for real situations and, if the model is correct, will give the correct values of concentrations in air in a normal room, provided that the sink effects that are always present are handled correctly.