Characterization and traceability analysis of volatile organic compounds emissions from polyurethane plastic runways

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Polyurethane (PU) plastic runways are widely used in athletic facilities.
• The diversity of raw materials in PU runways contributes to the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• These VOC emissions pose potential health risks to athletes and others using these facilities, but emission characteristics and sources are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from polyurethane (PU) plastic runways.
• To determine the primary sources of VOC emissions within the raw materials used for PU runways.
• To provide guidance for selecting raw materials to mitigate VOC emissions from athletic tracks.

Main Methods:

• Utilized environmental chamber-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for VOC analysis of PU runways and their components (adhesives, rubber granules).
• Employed blowing trap-GC-MS for VOC analysis of other raw materials, such as diluents.
• Simulated environmental conditions for VOC release (60 °C, 5% RH, 1.0 air exchange rate/h).

Main Results:

• Identified 101 VOCs emitted from plastic runways, including alkanes, alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, and oxygenated organic compounds.
• Oxygenated organic compounds (927.48 μg/m³) were the highest mass concentration group, followed by alkanes (689.68 μg/m³) and halogenated hydrocarbons (630.69 μg/m³).
• Dominant individual VOCs included acetone, (Z)-1,2-dichloroethene, n-octane, and hexanal.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully elucidated the primary sources of VOCs in plastic runways by comparing emission profiles of the finished product with its raw materials.
• The findings provide crucial data for understanding the health risks associated with PU athletic tracks.
• Clear guidance is now available for the selection of raw materials to prevent or minimize VOC emissions in the manufacturing of plastic runways.