Emission and Transport of Phthalates in Indoor Environments

Phthalates have been used pervasively as plasticizers in consumer products and building materials.  These semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are ubiquitous in indoor environments. We developed a novel, rapid, small-chamber method to measure phthalate emissions. The mechanisms governing emissions of phthalates from polymeric materials were further elucidated through systematic chamber studies. We then extended the mechanistic understanding of emissions to an actual indoor environment through a fate and transport model and assessed the exposure of building occupants.