The evaluation of BTEX and carbonyls emissions from recycled building materials

Environmental friendly building materials (BMs) get more attention due to their potential to reduce carbon and air pollutant emissions. However, recycled building materials (RBMs) have no required standard of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. This study was mainly about the assessment of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), as well as carbonyls emissions from recycled building materials, including gypsum board (GB), calcium silicate board (CSB), fiber cement board (FCB), class I built wall tile (WT), and waterproof gypsum board (WGB). The highest initial and final levels of BTEX were observed on CSB, followed by GB and FCB, and no detectable BTEX were observed on WT and WGB. Benzene was with the highest level among all identified BTEX. Emissions of carbonyls were observed on all materials. The highest initial and final levels of carbonyls were observed on GB, followed by FCB and CSB, while the lowest ones were detected on WT and WGB. The final (96-h) steady-state emissions of BTEX from GB and CSB were 9 and 37 times those from conventional pairs and 27 and 41 times those from low-VOC pairs. Similarly, the final steady-state emissions of carbonyls from GB and CSB were 4.8 and 1.3 times those from conventional pairs and 16 and 2.5 times those from low-VOC pairs. The requirement of evaluation standard for VOC emissions from RBMs is highly recommended to protect consumers. Graphical abstract.