VOC emissions from wood products and furniture: a survey about legislation, standards and data referred to different materials.

The health and safety of people in indoor environments are influenced not only by climate and biological agents (bacteria, virus) but also by the potential presence of air pollutants. Pollutants can come from many sources, such as cigarette smoke, fireplaces, preparation of foods, traffic, etc. Even furniture and building materials used in constructions (floorings, ceilings, walls, etc.) can emit harmful substances for the health of the occupants. Such emissions mainly derive from the coatings applied on the surfaces of the finished products and consequently a special attention shall be paid to the formulation and to the use of such products. This paper presents a summary about the legislative and normative scenario on indoor emissions with the evidence of some data referred to parquet floorings coated with different coating materials. The work, as well as recalling the concepts expressed above, represents a point of reference on the subject for all operators in the sector given the innovative nature and however strong impact that the VOC issue currently plays in this area.