VOC emissions from commercial wood panels using PTR-MS for indoor air quality evaluation

Introduction Wood panels, commonly used in cold climates like the Nordic countries for their aesthetic surface and availability, emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can impact indoor air quality and may contribute to health risks, especially with repeated or prolonged exposure. While research has primarily focused on untreated fresh wood, little attention has been given to the VOC emissions from commercial wood panels. This study aims to investigate the VOC emission pattern, intensity, and profile of nine commercially untreated and treated wood panels commonly used in indoor environments, focusing on how wood type and surface treatments influence emission characteristics. Methods The study utilizes Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry combined with passive sampling, offering a more comprehensive analysis of volatile organic compounds, including both volatile and very volatile compounds, which traditional gas chromatography cannot capture. Advanced statistical methods, such as Bayesian posterior, principal component analysis, and hierarchical clustering analysis, were employed to identify key emission contributors and classify emission patterns. Results The findings reveal that emission intensity and profiles are influenced by wood type and surface treatments. Pine and oak emitted higher proportions of VOCs, while spruce primarily emitted VVOCs. Glazing, staining, and painting significantly affect emission intensity, with glazing reducing pine total emissions by 81% and increasing them in spruce by 65%. Staining pine reduced VOC emissions by 74% but increased VVOC emissions by 63%, shifting the emission profile. Despite high emission intensity from untreated pine, painting reduced TVOC emissions by 93%, aligning its profile with lower-emission woods like aspen and spruce, making it more suitable for indoor use. Discussion The right treatment can transform high-emission woods into materials resembling low-emission species, offering a practical means to mitigate indoor VOC loads.