ASTM invites papers for SPF insulation symposium.

Press Release Summary:



Papers are invited for symposium on Developing Consensus Standards for Measuring Chemical Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam  Insulation, to be held April 30–May 1, 2015. Standardized methods are needed to assess potential impacts of SPF insulation products on indoor air quality and to establish re-entry/re-occupancy times after product installation in building and post-occupancy ventilation needs. Symposium will provide forum for exchange of ideas to aid in development of these standards.



Original Press Release:



Papers on Chemical Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation Invited for ASTM International Symposium



W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., —Papers are invited for a symposium on Developing Consensus Standards for Measuring Chemical Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation, to be held April 30-May 1, 2015, at the Marriott Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif. Sponsored by ASTM International Committee D22 on Air Quality, the symposium will be held in conjunction with the April standards development meetings of the committee.



Standardized methods are needed to assess the potential impacts of SPF insulation products on indoor air quality and to establish re-entry or re-occupancy times after product installation in a building and post-occupancy ventilation needs. The objective of the symposium is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas from SPF manufacturers, regulatory agencies, indoor air quality professionals, testing labs, air quality consultants, instrument vendors and other stakeholders. The symposium will be informative toward future development of standards for measuring emissions from SPF insulation. Papers are requested on the following topics:



• Research and method development for measuring potential SPF emissions of semi-volatile and volatile organic compounds used in the formulation (e.g., isocyanates, blowing agents, amine catalysts and flame retardants) and from potential reaction or byproducts;

• Federal and other governmental agencies' regulatory approaches and supporting investigation, assessment and research needs; 

• Modeling, scaling up from lab to large scale chambers or buildings; 

• International perspective on regulation and testing of SPF insulation emissions; 

• Industry perspective/needs and product stewardship activities; 

• Field investigations or large-scale chamber/spray booth studies to evaluate emissions or ventilation rates; and

• Applying the knowledge from product emissions data/research to practice (e.g., stewardship commitment, green building practices, codes for residential ventilation and global leadership).



To participate, presenters/authors must submit a 250-300 word preliminary abstract by April 30, 2014. The abstract must include a clear definition of the objective and approach of the work discussed, pointing out material that is new, and present sufficient details regarding results. The presentation and manuscript must not be of a commercial nature nor can it have been previously published. The symposium co-chairmen will notify you by May 19, 2014, of your paper’s acceptability for presentation at the symposium.



Visit www.astm.org/D22CFP4-2015 to submit your abstract and for additional information.



Additional technical information is available from symposium co-chairmen John Sebroski, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, Pittsburgh, Pa. (phone: 412-777-3420; john.sebroski@bayer.com) or Mark Mason, U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, N.C. (phone: 919 541-4835; mason.mark@epa.gov).



ASTM International is one of the largest international standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM International meets the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for the development of international standards: coherence, consensus, development dimension, effectiveness, impartiality, openness, relevance and transparency. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems and commercial transactions.



ASTM Staff Contact: Hannah Sparks, Phone: 610-832-9677; hsparks@astm.org         

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