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Persistence of floor coating solvents.
1Fire Laboratory, Applied Technical Services, Inc., Marietta, GA 30066, USA.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|November 21, 2001
Summary
Solvents in wood floor coatings, including stain and oil finishes, persist for at least 24 months. This study highlights the long-term presence of volatile organic compounds in fire debris analysis.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Solvent persistence in building materials is crucial for fire debris analysis.
- Understanding long-term solvent detection in wood finishes aids arson investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the persistence of solvents in various wood floor coatings over 24 months.
- To evaluate the detectability of solvents in different wood finishing applications.
Main Methods:
- Passive headspace concentration (ASTM E 1412).
- Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis (ASTM E 1618).
- Analysis of oak and pine flooring with stain, stain/polyurethane, and oil finishes at 10 and 24 months.
Main Results:
- Solvents were readily detectable in all tested floor coatings after 24 months.
- No significant diminution in solvent levels was observed compared to earlier samples.
- All three types of floor finishes (stain, stain/varnish, oil) showed persistent solvent presence.
Conclusions:
- Solvents in wood floor coatings exhibit long-term persistence, detectable up to 24 months.
- The findings underscore the importance of comparison samples in fire debris analysis.
- Persistent solvents in wood finishes necessitate careful consideration in arson investigations involving fire debris.