Movable partitions show decreasing emissions in chamber study

Many people are concerned about the emission potential of various furnishings, especially those of synthetic construction, placed in modern offices. Many IAQ professionals have blamed some of these furnishings for high levels of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds. A researcher for Steelcase. Inc., of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, has found that three types of movable office partitions tested in an environmental chamber showed initial high levels of both formaldehyde and total volatile organic compounds, but that these levels decreased rapidly within a few weeks of manufacturer James R Strobridge presented the report at the recent American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition. Three movable office partitions of different construction were involved in the study. The testing took place in a large dynamically operated environmental chamber of about 1, 100 cubic feet, the equivalent of a 12-foot by 12-foot office. The room was ventilated at about one air change per hour, relative humidity was around 50%, and temperature was about 77oF. The researchers took the products as soon as they were manufactured, wrapped them in plastic and shipped them to the testing facility. At the laboratory, workers put the products individually into the chamber and began testing after an initial one- to two-hour equilibrium time. The products, designated as Partition A, B, and C. contained materials with the following characteristics.