explanation
| description | relevant product categories | ||
Insulation materials with organic constituents may emit volatile compounds (see e.g. [Gellert 2006]).
Plastic insulation materials may primarily emit monomers into indoor air. While there has been no evidence so far that insulation materials made from PUR/PIR emit relevant isocyanate concentrations into indoor air, in the case of polystyrene insulation materials, relevant styrene emissions have been detected. The main health hazards brought about by styrene include neurotoxic effects, particularly on the central nervous system (e.g. memory deficiencies, neurological symptoms, impaired colour vision). The question as to whether styrene may trigger cancer is a controversial issue among experts, as is its possible reprotoxicity. However, there are many reliable studies that regard such effects as likely (cf. BMLFUW 2003b; guideline on indoor air assessment).
Insulation materials with binders that contain formaldehyde (e.g. mineral wool insulation materials) may also emit formaldehyde.
To prevent and avoid long-term effects on indoor air due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), insulation materials that are installed facing the interior shall be low-emission materials. Annex ZA of the DIN EN 13162 to DIN EN 13171 series of standards on thermal insulation products for buildings requires initial type testing to be carried out for emissions of volatile compounds.
If insulation materials are installed facing the interior, without a wind-tight layer separating them from the indoor air, the following criteria for emission behaviour must be met:
| Parameter |
Max. test chamber concentration after 28 days |
| CMR substances | 1 µg/m³ (not quantifiable) |
|
Total of volatile organic compounds C6–C16 (TVCOs) |
300 µg/m³ |
|
Total of semi-volatile organic compounds C16–C22 (TSVOCs) |
100 µg/m³ |
| Formaldehyde | 0,05 ppm*) |
CMR-substances: Carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances classified as Categories 1 and 2 under Directive 67/548/EC, or Categories 1A and 1B under CLP Regulation 1272/2008, respectively.
*) Evidence required only for insulation materials with binders containing formaldehyde.
Supporting documents:
Manufacturer's confirmation that the insulation material possessed one of the properties below:
Or:
Test report, with test chamber procedure in accordance with ÖN EN ISO 16000. The test certificate must not be more than 5 years old.
Test specifications: Test chamber ≥ 0.100 m³; air exchange rate: 0.5 h-1; loading ratio: ≥ 0.4 m²/m³; specimens collected directly at the production plant, and kept in air-tight packaging until loading; with the entire specimen exposed (no part covered by adhesive tape); specimen placed in chamber main air flow on a support made of inert material; measurement after 27 days of storage in standard atmosphere.
Products bearing a natureplus quality label (Award Guidelines RL0101, RL0102, RL0103, RL0104 RL0105, RL0106, RL0108, RL0109, RL0112, RL0113, RL0401, RL0406, RL0408, RL0806) or The Blue Angel (RAL-UZ 132), meet this criterion.
Alternatively, the corresponding baubook declaration may serve as evidence (www.baubook.info/oea).
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minimum requirement
background, sources