The influence of temperature on the emissions of organophosphate ester flame retardants from polyisocyanurate foam: Measurement and modeling.

The material-phase diffusion coefficient (Dm) and material/air partition coefficient (Kma) are the key parameters controlling the emissions of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from source materials. In indoor environments, air temperature is subject to change and can significantly affect the emission rates of SVOCs from building materials and consumer products. In this study, the emissions of organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPEFRs) from customized polyisocyanurate foam materials were measured in 44-mL microchambers at 23, 35, and 55 °C. The values of Dm and Kma at different temperatures were determined. The results showed that the increase of temperature can significantly enhance the emissions of OPEFRs from the foam materials, and the emissions of OPEFRs were found to transfer from SVOC-type to volatile organic compound (VOC)-type with the increase of temperature. A correlation for OPEFRs between the steady-state emission rate and temperature and correlations between Dm, Kma, and temperature were obtained. The research results shed light on the effect of temperature on the mechanisms governing emissions of SVOCs.